News & Events

Florida Fire Chief's State awards

The City of Coral Springs was presented with three awards at the Florida Fire Chief's Conference in Daytona Beach on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Members of the department also shared in a fourth award given to members of the Haiti Earthquake Response team as part of Florida USAR Task Force II. This was the largest number of awards presented to a single department; over 20% of the awards went to Coral Springs nominees.

Captain Juan Cardona was awarded the Florida Paramedic of the Year Award from the Florida Fire Chief's Association and the Florida EMS Association. There are currently 24,578 active, licensed paramedics in 268 agencies in the State of Florida. Captain Cardona was recognized for his efforts as both an EMS responder, an EMS educator, and for his service in the continued development, through process improvements and administrative improvements, of the excellence in EMS services delivered by the Coral Springs Fire Department.

Fleet Services Supervisor Buddy Mallozzi was recognized as Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year by the Florida Fire Chief's Association and the Florida Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians. There are currently 843 certified Emergency Vehicle Technicians in Florida. He was recognized for his service with the state board as an examiner, his ability to maintain the extensive Coral Springs Fleet to a superior level of in-service readiness, and his expertise in the field. His nomination was supported by numerous fleet supervisors from other cities who have consulted with him for advice on issues in their own fleets.

Jonathan Wesolowski, from the Coral Springs Fire Explorers, was awarded the Fire Rescue Cadet of the Year Award from the Florida Fire Chief's Association. Jonathan was selected from among all the Fire Rescue Cadet and Explorer programs in the State of Florida because of his example of dedicated community service, outstanding leadership in his post, academic achievement and potential for future contributions through a career in the fire service.

Battalion Chief Michael McNally, Captain Joseph Russoniello, Captain Michael Caldaro and Captain Michael Moser were recognized as part of Florida USAR Task Force II. The Task Force responded to Haiti in the aftermath of last January's disastrous earthquake. The numerous well documented and heroic rescue efforts of the team earned them the Florida Search and Rescue Responder of the Year Award, the first time this award has been presented to any team.