Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Honors Brave Workers During Medal Day Ceremony – NBC 6 South Florida

Some of the bravest and most devoted members of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue have been honored Saturday.

The division’s Medal Day Ceremony held at loanDepot park honored lots of of recipients of the Employee Valor and Excellence Awards. Those honored have been celebrated for his or her meritorious efforts, selfless braveness and devotion to responsibility – together with through the pandemic.

“Their unwavering power, professionalism and distinctive management within the hearth service is demonstrated right here at this time in addition to every day all through our Department, and I could not be extra proud,” MDFR Chief Alan Cominsky mentioned.

MDFR honored staff for his or her contributions to the division, together with the Gold Medal of Valor, Bronze Medal of Valor, Life Saving Award, Major Campaign Award, Employee Excellence and the Unit Citation Award.

“What does it take to be a first responder? What makes a first responder? Well, there’s really no blueprint,” retired MDFR firefighter Richard Ramirez said. “I can tell you, these last two years have certainly shown that the job of a first responder is not a defined one.”

The occasion remembered the hardships of the final two years, together with the Surfside condominium collapse tragedy. A particular mission ribbon was given to each particular person concerned within the logistics and help within the collapse.

“Our Miami-Dade Fire Rescue went above and beyond and today, I am filled with love, pride, and sadness,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava mentioned.

For MDFR Division Chief Jason Fernandez, occasions like these are vital as a result of they increase morale and function a reminder to pay respect to all of the lives they’ve touched.

“It’s important to remember those individuals that you were able to make an impact on, and not lose the memory of those we weren’t able to save,” Fernandez said. “It’s incredibly important for us to remember those individuals, and also keep at the front of our minds, all the good work that’s being done and the sacrifice our families and the individuals that work every day to protect the community make.”

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