Longboat Key Fire Rescue honors personnel

Longboat Key Fire Rescue announced the recipients of its annual awards Dec. 9.

Firefighter/paramedic Brian Kolesa received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Last December, Kolesa was on his way to work when he saw a car crash at the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th Street in Bradenton and stopped to help. Kolesa performed CPR on a 5-year-old girl who was in cardiac arrest and revived her before Manatee Emergency Medical Services arrived.

The child survived the accident and was reunited with Kolesa in July.

Deputy Chief Matthew Altman was honored with this year’s Officer of the Year Award. A 19-year department employee, Altman is responsible for the training that paramedics receive ensuring they’re all trained in the most up to date life-saving techniques.

This past year, Altman instructed personnel on pediatric advanced life support, advanced life support, and CPR. He is also the Shift Commander of B-shift.

Firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch received this year’s Chief’s Award. He keeps inventory of supplies and medications, ensuring the department is stocked with the appropriate amounts and properly maintained. In the past year, Desch assisted in the department’s annual report and established an informational social media page for the fire department.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].