Commission honors team members of the quarter

LARGO — City commissioners here recognized team members of the quarter at their Nov. 18 meeting. This quarter’s honorees were recognized for providing life-saving first aid to a coworker, leading a creative and engaging summer children’s camp, and providing compassionate support to community members following an emergency services call.

Assistant City Manager Meridy Semones presented team members with their certificates and shared their nomination stories. The following are excerpts from their nominations:

Team members of the quarter:

• Andrew Ploski and Steven Thompson, Largo Fire Rescue — “Largo’s Engine 43 crew responded to a medical emergency involving a resident who fell ill while doing yard work. Alongside Sunstar paramedics, the team swiftly treated the patient and began hospital transport. But their dedication didn’t end there. Before leaving the scene, Lt. Matt Handwerk, Firefighter/Paramedic Andrew Ploski, and Firefighter/EMT Steven Thompson took the time to finish what the resident had started—completing the lawn care with care and compassion.”

• Juanita Halliday, Recreation Parks and Arts — “Her drive to make camp a fun and enjoyable time for all the kids, sometimes at her own expense (for time and energy) has proven to be a huge help in all areas for the camps’ success. Dealing with so many issues on a day-to-day basis is not easy, but she has made it look easy.”

• Jimmy Butler and Chris Herring, Public Works — “While performing hydro excavation work on the VAC truck, their coworker sustained a life-threatening injury. The high-pressure water nozzle broke free from their co-worker’s control and tore deep into his forearm. The cuts were severe, and the bleeding was heavy. In that moment, every second mattered. Chris and Jimmy immediately worked together to provide first-aid to stabilize the injury and control bleeding, using Chris’s belt to create a torniquet. They helped their injured co-worker to remain calm until paramedics arrived.”

Manager of the quarter:

• Lt. Matt Handwerk, Largo Fire Rescue. See first nomination above