FPL volunteers decorate Longboat Key Fire Rescue Station for the holidays

Light-up candy canes now line the sidewalk in front of Longboat Key Fire Station 92. 

Twinkle lights adorned around its building and colorful lights peek through the bushes for a glimmer of holiday cheer. 

To finish it off, a giant inflatable firefighter Santa is the perfect holiday greeting for passersby cars on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

For the first year, "elves" or volunteers from Florida Power and Light (FPL) decked out Longboat Key Fire Rescue to thank them for all their hard work during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

"We didn't ask them to help, and they came immediately and started helping us put lights and candy canes," said Devaney Iglesias, FPL area manager for Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. "They are very true to their nature."

On Nov. 26, the Longboat Key Fire Rescue was the first stop of a holiday makeover tour of local fire and police stations. From 10 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., FPL volunteers also decorated the Bradenton Beach Police Station, Holmes Beach Police Station and West Manatee Fire Station. 

The program surprised the stations with a variety of sparkling LED lights and solar-powered displays. The first responders also received gift bags with their own energy-efficient holiday decorations and vouchers for a free holiday tree at the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County's annual Christmas tree lot.  

Seventeen years ago, this tradition, "the Holiday Hero Lighting" program, started as a way to give back to veterans in the area for their service to the country and the community. This year, FPL decided to honor these stations to spread some holiday cheer as they get some relief after the storms.

"We're very fortunate that they chose us," said Assistant Chief and Fire Marshall Jane Herrin. "I can't wait until the evening to see the lights in their full glory at night time."