North River swears in new chief Michael Rampino, honors firefighter of the year Robert Tollise

Robert Tollise is the North River firefighter of the year.
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Michael S. Rampino has been sworn in as chief of the North River Fire District, replacing John W. McGinnis, who served more than 30 years in the district.

For more on the new chief, see the Herald's previous  story.

Also this month, Robert J. Tollise was honored as the district's 2013 firefighter of the year.

The firefighter of the year, as chosen by his peers, is one who exudes the qualities of professionalism, knowledge, skill, ability, dedication, and loyalty to the fire service and the North River Fire District.

Chief Michael Rampino and Fire Commissioner Michael Browning.
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Tollise, began his career in 1988 as a career firefighter with the City of Bradenton.  He left the fire service and joined the Tropicana-Bradenton Health and Safety Department in 1995 as their emergency response coordinator and hazmat team coordinator.

 In 2004 He became the Manatee County public safety hazardous materials chief.  He became a fire inspector with North River Fire District in 2010.  He  is a state certified firefighter, EMT, hazmat technician, fire inspector I and II, fire instructor III, arson investigator and he has earned a B.S. in Safety Engineering.

 His positive attitude and co-operative demeanor is evident to anyone who has the pleasure to work around him. He is recognized county wide as the “go to guy “ for hazmat advice."

Chief Michael Rampino, left, and Interim Fire Chief  Kenneth Cluley.
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