View From the Chief’s Office

Volume 17, Issue 08 August 2017

The Palm

Harbor F.D.C.

As hard as it is to believe, summer vacation is over, and

the kids are back in school. Thank you to all the members that

were at some of the elementary school zones to remind drivers

to slow down and drive carefully as many children will be walk-

ing or biking to school.

Moving forward, believe it or not, we are in the early

planning stages of this year’s Annual Awards and Appreciation

Dinner. Unfortunately, Coral Oaks can no longer sustain creating and serving

the fabulous dinners we have had over the many years. We are working on

several different options, but want to keep it as a sit-down dinner if at all possible. If you have any ideas for this year’s event, please contact Deputy Chief

Breuer, or myself.

Lastly, just as a reminder, the initial budget hearing will be held Septem-

ber 11 at 7:30 pm.

Stay safe and keep up the good work!

Chief Maciuba

Department Operations

Please join me in congratulating the following members of Palm

Harbor Fire Rescue.

Jason Haynes has been promoted to the position of

Training Chief. Ashley White has been promoted to the rank

of Lieutenant, and is now assigned to ‘B’ Shift.

Both will be taking the ‘Oath Of Office’ at the monthly

Board of Fire Commissioner meeting on August 14th.

The meeting is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. The meeting begins at 7PM at Palm

Harbor Fire Rescue Station 65.

Fire Chief Craig Maciuba

Deputy Chief of Operations Chad Pittman

Join Palm Harbor Fire Rescue and many other

North Pinellas Fire Departments as we host the 15th

Annual Fire and Life Safety Expo sponsored by Sears at

Westfield Countryside Mall. Inside Sears we will have

display tables with various safety initiatives and games to

interact with children, and give parents/caregivers excel-

lent safety tips to take home. Don't miss the display of fire trucks outside, and meet our mascot Sparky the Fire

Dog. This event is always FREE and we welcome you to

join us for some family fun and safety!

October 7th, 2017 — 10AM-2PM

15th Annual Fire and Life Safety Expo at Sears

Page 2 August 2017

First Prize: $500.00 Second Prize: $250.00

Submit Essays to: Sept11Essay@PalmHarborFD.com

Deadline to Submit is Friday, August 25, 2017

The Essay Contest accepts submissions from all 6th-8th graders (as of Spring 2017) that at-

tend a North Pinellas County School. The judging for the event will be performed anonymously by

the Palm Harbor 9/11 Memorial Event Committee. First Place winner will have the honor to read

their essay at the 9/11 Memorial Event Ceremony on September 11th at Curlew Hills Memory Gar-

dens 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor. We hope this essay contest serves as inspiration for middle

school students to strengthen their appreciation of the events on September 11th, 2001.

For any further questions, please contact Liz Monforti at (727) 683-1647, or by email at

Sept11Essay@PalmHarborFD.com

http://www.PalmHarborFD.com/911EssayContest

Fully Involved would like to in-

troduce our newest board members

that were appointed at our August

meeting:

President - Amy Fisher

Vice President - Julie Lovetere

Secretary - Amy Arntz

Treasurer - Dawn Maciuba

Historian - Katrina O'Neill

Asst. Historian - Juliana Little

Our next meeting will be held at

Glory Days in Palm Harbor Septem-

ber 12th at 6pm and would love to

see you there!

We hope that all the kids, teach-

ers, and parents had a great first day

of school and continue to have a safe

and happy school year!

Fully Involved - PHFR Auxiliary

It’s not just about the ‘911’ call for PHFR...

Page 3 August 2017

Since January 1st

2017 There Have

Been

61 Line Of Duty

Firefighter

Fatalities According To

The United

States Fire

Administration

This month the Fire Cadets have

been very busy between ride-a-longs

and the annual summer camp. The

Cadets were able to go out to

Marion County with no Wi-Fi or cell

phone reception and participate in a

activity filled summer camp. This camp was based on team work,

communication, learning new skills,

and meeting new Cadets from

across the state. Cadets got the

opportunity of learning and partici-

pating in retiring an American flag.

This was a very humbling experience

for everyone involved. The Cadets

got a piece of the flag that they got

to dedicate to someone whom has

passed away. Cadets also got to

learn the basics about hoses and

couplings, flow path, hazmat basics

from the ERG, water rescue, water

survival in bunker gear, and team

building.

Currently we have 12 Cadets,

two of which are eligible to be hired

as FF/EMT’s. One Cadet is currently

in EMT school and plans to attend fire

school at SPC right after completing

EMT school. Two have signed up for

the Fire Academy and will start at the

beginning of next year. If anyone has

any specialties and would like to spend a Wednesday night teaching the Ca-

dets a class, please feel free to contact

an Advisor to schedule something.

Cadet meetings are held at Station 69

in Tarpon Springs every Wednesday

from 7pm-9pm.

Fire Cadet Connection

Chaplain’s Corner

Page 4 August 2017

Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Parks Jr.

Fire Chaplain Milton Smith

Recently, I was given the opportunity to visit with some Fire Cadets from across the state. I was invited

as a guest speaker to the Cadets Summer Retreat held in Orange Springs, Fl. This retreat was sponsored

by the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. It was a first for me, however very rewarding. I was given three

class sessions and talked to nearly 75 teens. There were many Cadets from South Florida, Miami-Dade Fire

Rescue, Brevard County SO, and DeSoto County just to name a few. I appreciate the opportunity to min-

ister these young people as a chaplain and pray that their journey in life, perhaps their future in the emer-

gency services field, will be one of much success.

I want to congratulate all the recent promotions at Palm Harbor Fire Rescue. Surely, God has smiled on

you and the job that you do. Congratulations to Deputy Chief Brent Breuer, EMS Chief Doug Zimmerman,

Training Chief Jason Haynes, Lt. Scott Arntz and Lt. Ashley White. Please know that you all are in my pray-

ers. Keep up the good work.

As I watch the news, I have seen some of the more difficult calls that you all have faced in recent weeks.

I pray for your emotional health as you face difficult situations. The stress of hard calls may not be seen

immediately, but they can add up. I encourage you to take action and do something that will help you with

the stress that this type of job can bring. Please know that I am usually available to make a stop by your

station after a stressful call. I can meet with you on your off duty day if you just want to talk. I can also

come to the scene if needed. I can be requested via dispatch at Palm Harbor 807 (PH807).

As always to each of you and your families.

Be safe and be blessed,

Brother Milton Smith

Palm Harbor Fire

Rescue

250 West Lake Road

Palm Harbor, FL 34684

727-784-0454

Published by:

Joshua Lovetere

JLovetere@PalmHarborFD.com

PHFR Employment Anniversaries

Run Statistics

We are on the web at www.palmharborfd.com

25 Years — Deputy Chief Chad Pittman 08/20/1992

15 Years — Training Chief Jason Haynes 08/08/2002

15 Years — FF/PM Dustin Seabolt 08/08/2002

9 Years — Lt. Ashley White 08/21/2008