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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
Bryan Clement
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
Mike Basora
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
Larry Williams
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.
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SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.
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The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District recently celebrated its dedicated staff and their achievements.
The district held its Annual Awards and Employee Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel. The holiday party was filled with gratitude and recognition for the team.
Crew members, retirees and the fire commissioners, along with their guests, attended.
“It’s a great way for us to get together in fellowship,” Fire Chief Kevin Barbot said. “We all play an important part in the district. We’re all why we keep this agency moving.”
He added that the annual celebration allows them to relax and get out of the emergency call routine.
“And really just enjoy one another,” Barbot said.
The district also recognized several exceptional members of the team.
Engineer/medic Bryan Clement was named the Firefighter of the Year.
His leadership, initiative and commitment to excellence have elevated the district’s water rescue and Rescue Inflatable Boat programs to a new level. Clement has poured countless hours into training, outfitting equipment and building life-saving capabilities for the district. His impact for the year has been exceptional.
Barbot noted that the award is peer nominated.
“It’s amazing every time we have an employee that recognizes they have strengths,” he said, explaining that they take those strengths and extra work ethic and put them toward the betterment of the district.
Barbot added that he hopes the recognition encourages other crew members to do the same.
The Fire Chief’s Award this year went to firefighter-EMT Mike Basora.
The fire service profession is about heart and he embodies it. It is the ability to love others more than yourself. On duty or off, uniform or not, Basora shows up for people. His compassion, positivity, work ethic and servant leadership make him an example for all.
Barbot reported that the award was first introduced after Hurricane Ian.
“You have to love others more than yourself. He has shown that over and over again,” he said, noting that Basora cares for the public like they are family. “He’s a public servant through and through.”
Barbot reported that during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, when the community was coming to the fire station for sand bags, Basora was there to help from sun up to sun down — and always with a smile.
Fire Marshal and Division Chief of Prevention Larry Williams received the Special Recognition.
For three straight years, he has put in the steps, the hours, the grit and the heart to help rebuild the community stronger and safer since Ian. Williams’ work will positively impact generations of firefighters and residents.
Barbot explained that Williams basically was doing three people’s jobs.
“We really didn’t have much support to give him,” he said.
“Because of his strong work, the island is safer,” Barbot added. “And it will be safer for the generations of firefighters to come and for our residents and visitors.”
Also during the celebration, the district took time to acknowledge all of the staff, as well as the fire commissioners for their support and the extra work that they have had to put in post-hurricanes.
The district’s retirees were asked to stand for recognition of their service.
“We’re grateful for anybody and everybody who’s really been involved with this agency,” he said.