TAVERNIER, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue, Monroe County Parks & Beaches, and Friends of Parks and Beaches invite the public to take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus and meet local firefighters on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. The first 100 children will receive a goodie bag, and there will also be candy canes and fire truck tours in addition to meeting with the “big guy” himself.

“We are excited to have Monroe County Fire Rescue bring Santa and Mrs. Claus to visit the fabulous Florida Keys for all of the local children to enjoy,” said Monroe County Parks and Beaches Director John Allen. “This is a new tradition we started last year, and it was a wonderful, fun turnout for all who came to the park.”

Please bring your camera or cell phone if you want pictures. 

BIG PINE KEY, FL—Monroe County Fire Rescue is teaming up with the Tunnels to Towers Foundation for its first southernmost 5K event on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Big Pine Key Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Drive. The event will complement the 75 other races and tower climbs the nonprofit foundation hosts annually.
 
Tunnels to Towers Foundation has been supporting our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes, and their families since the tragic event of 9/11. The event will honor and celebrate Monroe County’s first responders—fire, police, EMTs, and paramedics—as well as military service heroes who serve, sacrifice, and protect Florida Keys community members every day.
 
“It is our honor to have Tunnels to Towers host an event within Monroe County,” said Deputy Fire Chief RL Colina. “When our community was impacted and we lost one of our own, Tunnels to Towers was there to support our department and the family of fallen firefighter Herve Thomas.”
 
The foundation has provided 1,400 mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder families with young children to date.
 
To register for the 5K, donate, and volunteer, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/BigPineKey/TunneltoTowers5KRunWalkBigPineKeyFL.
 
Registered walkers and runners will have the opportunity to create profile pages that feature their personal photos and individual stories. Additionally, participants can compete to raise funds and recruit friends to their team.   

BIG PINE KEY, FL—Monroe County Fire Rescue is teaming up with the Tunnels to Towers Foundation for its first southernmost 5K event on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Big Pine Key Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Drive. The event will complement the 75 other races and tower climbs the nonprofit foundation hosts annually.
 
Tunnels to Towers Foundation has been supporting our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes, and their families since the tragic event of 9/11. The event will honor and celebrate Monroe County’s first responders—fire, police, EMTs, and paramedics—as well as military service heroes who serve, sacrifice, and protect Florida Keys community members every day.
 
“It is our honor to have Tunnels to Towers host an event within Monroe County,” said Deputy Fire Chief RL Colina. “When our community was impacted and we lost one of our own, Tunnels to Towers was there to support our department and the family of fallen firefighter Herve Thomas.”
 
The foundation has provided 1,400 mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder families with young children to date, including one to Thomas’ family after he died while on duty in 2021.
 
To register for the 5K, donate, and volunteer, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/BigPineKey/TunneltoTowers5KRunWalkBigPineKeyFL.
 
Registered walkers and runners will have the opportunity to create profile pages that feature their personal photos and individual stories. Additionally, participants can compete to raise funds and recruit friends to their team.   

MONROE COUNTY, FL—The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proudly helped Fire Chief Jim Callahan swear in four new firefighters to Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR). The newly sworn-in firefighters gave their oaths to support and uphold MCFR's mission and were given their official badges by members of their families.
 
Please welcome:
 
Joseph Cardozo, Firefighter/EMT, was born and raised in Miami and received his fire certification from Broward Fire Academy and his EMT certification from Miami Dade College Homestead Campus. Cardozo became a firefighter because he wanted a rewarding career that would make a meaningful impact on the community. Now, working for MCFR, he is excited to learn new things and become the best firefighter he can be.
 
Leo Garcia, Firefighter/EMT, lives in Key Largo and attended Southwest Miami Senior High School. He received his fire and EMT certification from Miami-Dade College. He was inspired to become a firefighter by a close family friend, who was a firefighter for Miami Dade. Now that he has been hired by MCFR, he is most excited to be able to make help in the community he serves.
 
Jose Sanchis, Firefighter/PM, was born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Miami, where he attended John A. Ferguson Senior High School. He received his paramedic and fire certification and an Associate's degree in EMS from Miami Dade College. His interest in the medical field started while enrolled in his high school first responders class. He was intrigued by his teacher, a retired Hialeah firefighter, who always spoke highly about the fire service and told exciting stories. "I am most excited about getting to know my crew members and serving the community to the best of my ability," he said.
 
William Whalen, Firefighter/EMT, lives in Islamorada and attended Coral Reef Senior High. He received his fire certification from Miami Dade Fire Academy and EMT certification from Urgent Response Training Institute. His passion for the fire service came from listening to his great-grandfather, a firefighter, tell stories about his career. Now that MCFR has hired him, he is most excited to grow as a firefighter by learning and training daily. "I am looking forward to joining the MCFR family and the camaraderie," he said.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),  the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Smoke Alarms, Make them work for you.” The campaign strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
 
Despite Hurricane Milton, Monroe County Fire Rescue conducted outreach programs for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, in four schools and daycares in Monroe County Fire Rescue’s jurisdiction and have rescheduled four other schools due to weather-related closures. The firefighters teach children about fire prevention and safety tips, give them tours of the firetrucks, and introduce them to a fan-favorite, Sparky the Fire Dog.
 
“Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said Monroe County Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Craig Marston. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and how to act on them.”
 
According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
 
Key Safety Tips:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level of the home.
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.

 
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit www.fpw.org. For more information on Monroe County Fire Rescue, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/firerescue.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Sept. 11 marks the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, which claimed the lives of 2,996 people and injured more than 6,000 others at the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
 
On Sept. 11, 2001, in addition to law enforcement officers, medical service providers, and other public servants, 343 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.
 
“Many of us think about the tragedy and where we were when the planes hit the World Trade Center. I think about the event year-long,” said Monroe County Fire Chief Jim Callahan. “Please let us never forget.”
 
Monroe County Fire Rescue invites the public to any of the Monroe County Fire Rescue stations on Sept. 11 to reflect on the lives lost.

• 9:50 a.m. – Primary apparatus brought out of the station bay.
• 9:59 – (Time of the South Tower WTC collapse), sound apparatus air horn in three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence.
• 10:00 to 10:28 – Time for personal remembrance and reflection.
• 10:28 – (Time of the North Tower WTC collapse), sound apparatus air horn in three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence.
• 10:29 – Flag raised and then returned to half-mast.
• 10:30 – Return apparatus to station and resume normal duties.

During the remembrance, normal emergency response actions will be observed if needed.
 
Stations are located at:

• Station 8 - Stock Island, 5655 MacDonald Avenue, MM 5
• Station 9 - Big Coppitt, 28 Emerald Drive, MM 10
• Station 10 – Sugarloaf, 17175 Overseas Highway, MM 17
• Station 11 – Cudjoe, 22352 Overseas Highway, MM 20
• Station 13 - Big Pine Key, 390 Key Deer Boulevard, MM 30.5
• Station 17 - Conch Key, 10 S Conch Avenue, MM 63
• Station 18 – Layton, 68260 Overseas Highway, MM 68.5
• Station 22 – Tavernier, 151 Marine Avenue, MM 92

​GRASSY KEY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue welcomes its seventh “Hot Shots” class to Joe London Fire Academy on Grassy Key. Class 24-01 includes 26 qualified trainees starting the process to become a career or volunteer firefighter. Of the 26 students, 21 are residents of Monroe County. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners continues to support the program that waives the tuition fee for qualified Monroe County residents in exchange for a commitment to volunteer or work as a career firefighter anywhere in the Florida Keys for three years.
 
“The ‘Hot Shots’ program provides those within our community looking for a career in fire rescue the ability to complete the program without any debt,” said Deputy Fire Chief RL Colina. “By bringing in homegrown candidates with local family and friend support, we hope to keep the talent we train at the academy serving our Florida Keys communities for years to come.”
 
Students who complete the 17 performance objectives of the firefighter program are prepared to take the State of Florida Firefighter II examination.
 
The program finishes on Dec. 13. Classes are held usually once a year. There are no new classes scheduled at this time. More information about the program can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/hotshots or by emailing [email protected]. 

MONROE COUNTY, FL-- The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) recognized Capt. Kevin Freestone of TowBoat U.S. today for his rapid, selfless actions and assistance following a boating accident on July 8, 2024, at approximately 2 a.m. and for his dedicated actions helping with water response over the years. Freestone was presented with MCFR’s first Selfless Actions For Emergency Responses S.A.F.E.R. award, and his name will be listed on a plaque at fire rescue headquarters.
 
In July, MCFR was alerted to respond to a boating incident near the South Channel Bridge on Big Pine Key. Upon arrival, firefighters found a boat with eight people on board, including children, that had struck the bridge and was still in the water. The crew secured the boat to the bridge; however, it was sinking. Firefighters used a 14-foot ladder to board the vessel and evacuated the five patients who could walk.
 
Due to the need for waterborne transport, Freestone was notified and immediately responded by boat. He transported the three seriously injured patients from the boat to a nearby marina, where MCFR personnel were staged. Trauma Star and Air Rescue South transported these seriously injured patients to a specialty medical center on the mainland.
 
As a result of Freestone’s rapid response, knowledge of the waters, and act of selflessness, MCFR was able to transport these patients effectively,” said Monroe County Fire Rescue Chief Jim Callahan. “Freestone has assisted others in the past by responding to multiple incidents and continues to help and protect the residents and visitors of the Florida Keys. He exemplifies what this award means.”

​MONROE COUNTY, FL— Monroe County hired Antonio Gandia, M.D., as its medical director for ground and air ambulance services. He met with the Monroe County Fire Chief Jim Callahan and other officials over the weekend. The medical director establishes the medical protocol and will provide medical direction to Monroe County’s EMTs and paramedics. He will also directly oversee quality assurance and compliance of all medical personnel operating within the county.  
 
For 25 years, Gandia has served as the medical director for several other fire departments, including the City of Key West. Working as an emergency department physician at the Lower Keys Medical Center, Gandia feels good about the hospital’s relationship with the fire departments in the Florida Keys.
 
Gandia’s specialty is emergency medicine, and he has been involved in several state and national medical organizations. He is on the governor-appointed advisory board for the EMS Advisory Council and is also a past president of the Florida Association of Medical Directors.
 
“I know you can’t stop operations for a minute,” said Gandia. “I’m here to keep things moving and serve the community as best as I can.”
 
He is originally from New York and has resided in Deerfield Beach with his wife for 35 years. His daughter and two sons also live in Broward County. Gandia feels close ties to the fire department because his son is a firefighter for the City of Margate.
 
“On behalf of the department and its members, Monroe County Fire Rescue welcomes Dr. Gandia,” said Deputy Chief R.L. Colina. “We all stand ready to serve the community.”

​MONROE COUNTY, FL—The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR) officials were made aware this morning of grand jury indictments issued against Monroe County Fire Rescue and Trauma Star Medical Director Dr. Sandra Schwemmer and MCFR EMS and Trauma Star Division Chief Andrea Thompson stemming from a 2022 investigation.
 
The County is in the process of terminating its contract with Schwemmer’s company, effective immediately. The County paid Schwemmer’s company $124,842.50 annually to provide medical director services for MCFR’s paramedics and flight nurses. 
 
Key West Fire Rescue Medical Director Dr. Antonio Gandia has agreed to step in and become Monroe County’s temporary medical director and will assist MCFR in any capacity needed.
 
Thompson, hired on July 30, 2001, has been suspended without pay pending a pre-determination hearing. Deputy Chief R.L. Colina will directly oversee the division, effective immediately. The pre-determination hearing, which is used to review an employee’s status following an arrest or other disciplinary action, has not yet been set. Thompson’s total annual salary is $151,127.87.
 
The latest indictments follow the grand jury’s decision last week to indict former MCFR Chief Flight Nurse Lynda Rusinowski, who was involved in medical drug-related misconduct within the department. Rusinowski resigned on Aug. 19, 2022 before a pre-determination meeting was scheduled.
 
“These are serious criminal charges brought forward from a separate review by the State Attorney’s Office independent of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigation, and we are taking these allegations very seriously,” said Acting County Administrator Kevin Wilson. “We will follow due process during our internal investigations while we await formal court proceedings. Our first priority is to ensure that the County’s emergency services continue to provide excellent care to our residents and visitors without interruptions.”