Press release from Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Yesterday, Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia announced the 2025 Fire Service Award winners. These awards are given to firefighters across Florida in conjunction with the Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF), Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA), Florida Fire State Association (FSFA), Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA), Florida Fire Training Directors Association (FFTDA), and the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA).
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said, “I was proud to recognize some of the extraordinary firefighters who answer the call and run towards danger, while others run away. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to protecting Floridians is truly unmatched. As State Fire Marshal, I want to thank these firefighters for their exceptional work to keep our communities safe every single day.”
ACFR Chief Harold Theus accepts his award from CFO Blaise Ingoglia
Fire Service Award Recipients
Reginald McKnight Jr., Miami-Dade Fire Rescue- 2025 Fire Service Instructor of the Year
Rob Ramirez, Town of Jupiter Fire Rescue- 2024 Fire Service Instructor of the Year
Brent Stevens, LaBelle Fire Department- 2025 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year
Harold Theus, Alachua County Fire Rescue- 2025 Fire Chief of the Year
Karl Hook, Charles-Capitola Volunteer Fire Department and the Bradfordville Fire Department- 2025 Volunteer Firefighter of the Year
Ron Huguenin, Orlando Fire Department- 2025 Professional Firefighter of the Year
Jefferson Mendal, Charlotte County Fire and EMS- 2025 Career Firefighter of the Year
Cathie Perkins, Pinellas County Emergency Management- 2025 Chad Reed Emergency Manager of the Year
North Collier Training Center- 2025 Training Center of the Year
Adam Chrisman, Cedar Hammock Fire Control District- 2025 Fire and Life Safety Educator
Armando Nodal, Florida Forest Service- 2025 Forestry Firefighter of the Year
Thomas Fucci, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue- 2025 Fire Investigator of the Year
Sandra Thomas, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue- 2025 Fire Inspector of the Year
Rodney Kwiatkowski, West Manatee Fire Rescue District-2025 Fire Marshal of the Year