Honoring Marco’s First Responders

They had a lot of business to transact. The annual celebration luncheon of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation took place at the Island Country Club on Wednesday, February 25, with numerous items on the agenda.

The foundation presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Jake Clemmons, who was recently promoted to Division Chief of EMS and Training and received his State of Florida Fire Officer III certification. Fire Rescue Chief Chris Byrne explained his pivotal role in earning the state recognition for the department.

“It was detailed. It was complex. And it was absolutely critical,” Byrne said of Clemmons’ work. “He did not just manage the project – he owned it. This accomplishment means that when someone in our community calls 911 on what may be the worst day in your life, our paramedics can immediately provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care.”

The luncheon also saw badges pinned on worthy recipients, heard a “year in review” from Byrne, presented a special award to Steve “Stef” Stefanides, and installed and swore in 15 officers and directors. Attendees heard a report on a work in progress, a permanent 9/11 memorial slated to be inaugurated on September 11, the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

A number of those in attendance were firefighters/EMTs who were on call, but luckily, they were able to enjoy their lunch and the program without being called on to rush out to the fire trucks sitting outside the club.

Attendees included several city councilors and the acting city manager, Dr. Casey Lucius, who was called on to swear in the board members. Foundation president Dianna Dohm acted as master of ceremonies and introduced Byrne, who led the group through an annual report of the work of his department.

“During 2025, our firefighters responded to just under 4,000 incidents, ranging from fires, medical emergencies, automobile accidents, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, and emergencies occurring in our local waterways and surrounding Gulf waters,” said Byrne. “It was an exceptionally busy year. The team performed approximately 4,900 fire inspections, identifying and correcting 1,040 fire code violations. They also conducted fire plan reviews for more than 2,000 building permits. The work of this team directly results in a safer community.”

The department provided CPR/AED training to 414 residents and distributed 142 NARCAN kits for treating opioid overdoses. Twenty-one firefighter/paramedics received the Phoenix Award, presented to first responders whose efforts successfully revive a cardiac arrest victim.

“We concluded the year with a historic accomplishment: the Fire Rescue Dept. earned the State of Florida Advanced Life Support License,” and successfully negotiated a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters’ union, said Byrne.

Dohm presented longtime Fire Rescue Foundation stalwart and founding member Steve “Stef” Stefanides with a special award, a plaque recognizing “your vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation.”

Byrne officiated during badge pinning ceremonies for Fire Inspector Lou Forster and Clemmons in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the department. The badges were pinned on by the recipients’ wives. Clemons got a little extra boost from the participation of his two daughters, Natalie, 11, and her sister Leah, eight, along with his wife Stacy.

Foundation board member Bill Albanese reported on the progress of a permanent memorial to 9/11 and the first responders who gave their lives. It is slated to be dedicated on September 11, 25 years to the day after the attacks. In the form of a scale model of the Twin Towers, detailed and internally lit, it will stand in front of the firehouse next to the flagpole. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Officers and directors present included Dianna Dohm, president; Barbara Murphy, vice president; Donna Niemczyk, secretary; Cheryl Stokes, treasurer; directors Laura McLaughlin, Ron Myers, Steve Stefanides, Keith Embree, Bill Albanese, Jerry Swiacki, Mike Murphy, Susan Kozlowski, Rene Champagne, Eric Russell, and Phil Lesher.