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4 Nominated For Tampa Fire Rescue Award

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 11, 2007

TAMPA - A firefighter who helped an ill colleague, a paramedic who tended to an injured person while off-duty, a longtime veteran and a familiar face to the area's media are among those nominated as Tampa Fire Rescue's Firefighter of the Year.

The agency will recognize the winner of this year's award at its annual banquet at 6 p.m. Friday at Higgins Hall, 5225 N. Himes Ave. About 600 firefighters and their families, as well as community and business leaders, will attend the sold-out event, the agency said.

The banquet also honors a civilian, Bernard Clemmons, who on July 19 burst into his disabled neighbor's burning apartment on North 52nd Street and carried him outside. Clemmons will receive Tampa Fire Rescue's highest civilian award, a gold certificate of merit, for his "heroic and selfless act," the agency said.

The agency identified the nominees for Firefighter of the Year as follows:

Driver-engineer Rick Acosta, a 21-year veteran who works in Hyde Park. Acosta, 50, is nominated for assisting a woman injured in a car wreck while off-duty, as well as volunteering his time "unselfishly" to help the family of a colleague stricken with a serious illness.

Paramedic Jason Dougherty, a six-year veteran who works in East Tampa. Dougherty, 31, came across a car crash while off-duty. He tended to the injured person at the scene and accompanied the person to the hospital. He also serves as a medic on the Tactical Response Team.

Capt. Russell Spicola, 51, who is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tampa Fire Rescue. He is nominated because of his "unselfish dedication to the community" and active participation in different organizations through his 22 years of service.

Capt. Bill Wade, a 26-year veteran who acts as the agency's spokesman, disseminating information about its activities and incidents to the Bay area media. "This is a benefit that cannot be easily measured," the department said of Wade, 50.

The winner receives an all-day fishing trip aboard a yacht, $100, a complimentary room at the Tampa Marriott Waterside and a trophy.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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