Above & Beyond: Brevard County Firefighters Help Family Recover After the Tragedy

Firefighters are a special group of people.  Every day, they go above and beyond by risking their lives to save people they’ve never met.  But for many men and women on the job, the real work begins after the fire is extinguished and the smoke has cleared, especially in Brevard County.

On Wednesday, April 27^th, a family in North Satellite Beach called for help as their home caught fire.  Despite a timely response, and no injuries, the family lost all of their possessions.  In some parts of the nation, this family would have said thank you to the firefighters and never see them again…not in Brevard County. 

Members from the Brevard County Professional Firefighters spent their own time this past Friday, doing what firefighters do best…giving back to the community.  They raised money; they solicited donated items; they even showed up with construction materials to board up the home and clean the inside of all the burned debris. 

In between shoveling debris, one Brevard County Firefighter said, “We don’t just work when we’re on duty.  Being a firefighter is more than that.  It’s about taking care of the community, whether we are on the clock or donating our own time off-duty.” 

Perhaps part of the reason Brevard County Professional Firefighters are so willing to give up everything to help others is that in Brevard County, this willingness to serve starts at the top.  Just this past Saturday (April 30^th), Brevard County Manager Stockton Whitten and Brevard County Fire Chief Mark Schollmeyer spent part of their weekend raising money for the “March of Dimes March for Babies” event in Viera.

A special thanks goes to Harbor City Crossfit owner Mike Manning.  As a former Brevard County firefighter, he met up with his old coworkers to lend a helping hand.

Also a thanks to Lowes in Indian Harbor Beach and Ace Hardware in Satellite Beach for their generous donations of materials to help move the project along.

Firefighters help remove debris from burned home

Firefighters board up the home to protect from further damage

Some of the cleanup crew, including
Harbor City Crossfit owner Mike Manning 

A deserving family is proud to call
Brevard County Firefighters their Heroes

To donate to this deserving family, please visit www.gofundme.com/thomasfirefund

To view all the pictures, click Satellite Beach Cleanup


The Brevard County Professional Firefighter Benevolent Association is a nonprofit organization aimed to help local individuals that experience catastrophic events as well as provide assistance to local charities.  The Association is governed by Brevard County Professional Firefighters who volunteer their off-duty time to ensure our community's needs are met.  

For more information on the organization or to donate to the family, please contact Lieutenant Donald Slayman (Public Information Officer for the Brevard County Professional Firefighters) at donald.slayman@iaff2969.com  

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By: Donald Slayman

Public Information Officer

Brevard County Professional Firefighters

Donald.Slayman@IAFF2969.com

Brevard County Professional Firefighters Endorse Sheriff Wayne Ivey

(Brevard County, Fla) - Brevard County Professional Firefighters are pleased to announce their recent endorsement for Sheriff Wayne Ivey as Brevard County Sheriff.

With more than 30 years of Law Enforcement experience, Sheriff Wayne Ivey has an extensive professional background dedicated to keeping our community safe.  Prior to being elected as Brevard County Sheriff, Wayne Ivey served the citizens of Florida as a "Resident Agent in Charge" for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).  

Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Supervision.  His background in law enforcement includes Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

Some of his career highlights include:

• Creating the country's first state-wide Task Force on identify theft
• Creating the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T.)
• Testifying before the United States Congress on law enforcement matters
• FDLE Special Agent of the Year
• Recognized by the Commissioner of the FDLE for Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice
• Honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for national level work as an advocate of victim's rights and protection
• Speaker on topics such as Identify Thefit, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.   The Brevard County Professional Firefighters believe Sheriff Ivey is a valuable asset to Brevard County and are pleased to endorse Wayne Ivey for Brevard County Sheriff.

For more information on Wayne Ivey or the heroes of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, please visit www.BrevardSheriff.com  

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Donald Slayman

Public Information Officer

Brevard County Professional Firefighters

Email: Donald.Slayman@IAFF2969.com

Brevard County Dispatchers are Recognized During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Brevard County Dispatchers received some well deserved recognition at the Annual Public Safety Telecommunicators Picnic this weekend.

An annual picnic was arranged to show recognition to the men and women whose hard work often goes unnoticed.  Dispatchers for Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) serve as an answering point for all of BCFR's emergency and non-emergency calls.  They also dispatch and track emergency vehicles, monitor radio channels to ensure crews remain safe, provide instructions to people while emergency crews are responding, and much much more.

Ever year during the second week of April, the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community are honored.  The week-long event is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public.  

Thank you for all the sacrifices made by our Dispatchers/Telecommunicators to create a better and safer world for the public.  Your commitment to your profession is greatly appreciated by the public safety community and the citizens you serve.

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Brevard County Professional Firefighters endorse Christina Sanchez for Judge

(Brevard County, Fla) - The Brevard County Professional Firefighters recently endorsed Christina Sanchez for Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, Group 9.  

Christina Sanchez is an accomplished trial attorney focusing her practice in the areas of civil litigation, criminal defense and family law.  Prior to forming Sanchez Lawn Firm, P.A., she acquired extensive trial experience at the 18th Judicial Circuit Public Defenders Office, defending the indigent in Sanford, Titusville, and Viera Offices.  Thereafter, Christina worked with Gray Robinson, P.A., in their civil litigation department, where her practice focused primarily on corporate defense, insurance defense and civil trials.

After graduating from Titusville High School, Christina received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminology from Florida Southern College.  She then went to Stetson University to receive her law degree.  

As a community leader, Christina has served as President of the Brevard County Association for Women Lawyers; President of the Brevard County Bar Association - YLD; Treasurer of the Brevard Bar Foundation; Board Member of the Brevard County Red Cross; and as a judge at the local Mock Trial and National Law School Trial Team Competitions.  She also volunteers with Justice Teaching and Habitat for Humanity.

For more information on Christina Sanchez, please visit SanchezforJudge.com

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