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Highlands County honors 26 volunteer firefighters for 392 years of service
Summary
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting Sept. 4 to recognize 26 Highlands County Fire Rescue volunteers whose combined service totals 392 years; one volunteer was honored for 45 years of service.
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 4 recognized 26 volunteer members of Highlands County Fire Rescue whose combined service totals 392 years.
Chief DuPenthaler, Highlands County Fire Rescue chief, told commissioners that the volunteers "respond to emergencies not for recognition or reward, but because they truly care about the people of Highlands County" and described their work as "neighbors helping neighbors, and that embodies the very best of what it means to serve." He asked the room to join him in congratulating the honorees.
The awards covered multiple service milestones. The department listed 5-year recipients including Michael Ksevik, Bradley Batts, Jesus Gomez, Kyle Himmler, Jackie Hiltz, Dave Holden, Adam McQuigg, Rebecca Oser, James Bobos and Michael Yount. Ten-year recipients included Mark Kinsey, Josh McClain, Philippe Everett and Rafael Ramos. Fifteen-year honorees included Jeff Bannister, Charles Benton, Scott Durban, Scott Kaplan and Jose Rivera. Scott Hanks was listed in the 20-year category; Noah Connell in the 25-year category. The department recognized Earl Grama, Lisonbee Walker and a person identified as "Groger" in its 35-year group. The final presentation honored Danny Holmes for 45 years of volunteer service.
A commissioner speaking during the meeting thanked the volunteers for running "towards danger" and urged continued volunteer recruitment as the county transitions some roles toward a hybrid paid model. That commissioner also offered a rough estimate of long-term savings tied to volunteer service, saying, "your generosity has saved encouraged has saved this county hundreds of millions of dollars" and later, after quick calculations, that it was "probably $2,030,000,000 dollars" (as stated in the meeting).
Commissioners asked staff to continue looking for ways to integrate and support volunteers as the county's emergency services system evolves. The county also reminded attendees of a 9/11 memorial ceremony scheduled for the Hammock Road Station the coming Saturday at 9 a.m.
No formal votes or policy actions were recorded during the special meeting; the event was convened solely to recognize volunteers and include remarks by county officials and fire department staff.
The Board recessed after the presentations and remarks of appreciation.
