City of Gulfport
Fire Rescue

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF

  Welcome to Gulfport Fire Rescue’s web site.  Our mission is to provide the best service possible to our community.  Our firefighters strive to always do their best and face each day with pride, honor, skill and integrity.  We understand that very few professions in the United States allow a total stranger to walk into a home at 3 o’clock in the morning, have instant credibility, and have a parent hand you their sick child.  This fact we cannot tarnish.  Our goal, therefore, is to always maintain strict professionalism.  We recognize each day is a training day.  Not only in the service to our community but also to help ensure that “Every firefighter goes home”.

  I would like to extend an invitation to you to visit our fire station and speak with our personnel.  Please allow us to train you in CPR, provide a free home fire safety inspection, a free home pool safety inspection, provide or install a free smoke detector or any of our other services.

  If I can be of any service to you, on behalf of Gulfport Fire Rescue and the City of Gulfport, please do not hesitate to contact me.

James V. Marenkovic, Fire Chief

“Ready to Serve”

Mission Statement

The Mission of Gulfport Fire Rescue is to provide the highest level of service to our community by protecting and preserving life and property in a safe, efficient and professional manner.

Gulfport Fire Rescue

Station 17

5314 23RD Avenue South

Gulfport, Florida 33707

(727)893-1059

History

 Gulfport Fire Rescue began as an all-volunteer fire department prior to 1920 with a small group of local men, mainly commercial fishermen. In 1925, the City purchased an American LaFrance Triple Combination Pumper for $12,500. This “state-of-the-art” fire engine served the City in frontline use until the early 1960’s and was completely restored in 1997 for $12,000.

 Over the years the community grew and the demands on the fire department increased. In 1979, a contract was signed with a local ambulance service to provide emergency medical services to the community. The original members of this service were housed in the fire station. In the early 1980’s, Pinellas County began Advanced Life Support operations countywide. Eventually, the City hired EMT’s and Paramedics as City employees who became volunteer firefighters. In 1995, with the hiring of Fire Chief Brian Brooks, the process was begun to change from an all-volunteer fire department to a combination fire department by adding one firefighter per shift and supplementing them with volunteer firefighters. The City of Gulfport and the Gulfport Fire Department are grateful to the volunteer members, and the members’ families, who served faithfully and well through the decades.

Operational Overview

 Currently, Gulfport Fire Rescue has three shifts of four personnel operating an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Engine. Minimum staffing is three firefighters per shift that includes at least one Fire Lieutenant and one Paramedic. Each shift works 24 hours on and 48 hours off. The Fire Chief is responsible for the overall operation of the department. Each of the Fire Lieutenants is responsible for a specific area of supervision and coordination, Training, Safety, and EMS in addition to their shift supervision duties.
 
GFR operates out of a single fire station and is responsible for the protection of 12,500 residents living within the City of 3 square miles. Additionally, the department participates in a County-wide Automatic Aid agreement with frequent fire responses into St. Petersburg and South Pasadena, and Mutual Aid responses into these areas and the beach communities of St Pete Beach and Treasure Island. Gulfport Fire Rescue responds to nearly 3000 emergency incidents annually.

Engine 17 Call Volume

 The fire station houses the living quarters and the administrative area. Originally occupied in 1976, it was renovated and modernized during 2003 with the living quarters expanded and separated from the administrative area.
Gulfport Fire rescue provides Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services; Fire Suppression; Fire Inspections based on the NFPA Life Safety Code; Public Education for Fire Safety, Hurricane Preparedness, Pool Safety; CPR training; free Home Fire Safety Surveys; free Smoke Detectors and installation; and free Child Car-Seat and installation.

Personnel

Fire Chief  

Lieutenant Paramedic (1)

Lieutenant EMT     (1)

Firefighter Paramedic (6)

Firefighter EMT      (4)

Fire Inspector               (1)

Personnel Benefits

Salaries Effective 10/01/08
FF/Paramedic $42,143.22
FF/EMT $37,806.88
Bargaining Unit is St. Pete Beach, PFF Local 2266. Three year contract expires 2010.
Insurance: 100% employee coverage, 50% dependant coverage.
Pension:  Chapter 175 Local Law Plan, with employee contribution.
 

Fire Explorers

 Fire Explorer Post 909 has been sponsored by GFR since 1985. The Post participates in annual competitions, numerous City sponsored events, and several annual events outside the City.
 

IAFF Bargaining Unit

 Fulltime firefighters in the classification of Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic are recognized as members of the bargaining unit represented by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)  St. Pete Beach Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2266. The current three-year agreement expires September 30, 2010.

Fire Officers

James V. Marenkovic, Fire Chief

Chief Marenkovic is currently assigned as the department EMS Coordinator and Infection Control Officer. He holds Florida State Certifications as a Minimum Standards Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, and is a CPR Instructor through the American Heart Association. He is a Florida State certified Fire Officer. He actively services on the Pinellas County Fire Chiefs Association, St. Petersburg College Continuing Medical Education Curriculum Committee and Pinellas Advanced Life Support Committee.
Chief Marenkovic began his career as a Paramedic in 1988, has worked for several private ambulance companies, including Sunstar, and has previous experience as a volunteer firefighter in Ohio. Hired as a fulltime Firefighter Paramedic in March 1998 he was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in January 2003. In March 2009 was promoted to the rank of Fire Chief for Gulfport Fire Rescue.

Lieutenant Lawrence “Pete” Huffman

 A Shift

Lieutenant Pete Huffman is currently assigned as the A-Shift Lieutenant and the department Training & Safety Officer.
Lt. Huffman began his career with the City of Gulfport in 2006. He holds numerous certifications that include FL EMT, Live Fire Instructor II, Fire Service Instructor, EVOC and others. His career started in Pinellas County as a firefighter in 1980. He has worked through the fire service ranks to the position of Assistant Chief/Operations and has obtained his B.S. Degree in Fire Science from Richmond’s University.
Lt. Huffman has been an Instructor with St. Petersburg College Fire Academy for numerous years providing training throughout Pinellas County. He has been recognized as “Firefighter of the Year” in 1992 & 1996 and has also earned national recognition as “Chief Instructor of the Year” for the ROCO Corporation for work performed in Technical Rope Rescue and Industrial Safety Training. He has served as the Technical Rescue Commander for Pinellas County and currently is the Vise-Chair of the Pinellas County Fire Department Training Officers.    

Lieutenant Adam Poirrier

B Shift 

Lieutenant Adam Poirrier is currently assigned as the B-shift company officer. 

Lt. Poirrier began his career with the City of Gulfport in 1999 as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT before the program was discontinued.  He was hired full time in January 2002 and promoted to Lieutenant in 2008.  Lt. Poirrier is a certified Paramedic and serves as the department’s quality assurance officer for the EMS division.  He also holds numerous other certifications including Company Officer 1, Pump Operator, Instructor 1, Live Fire Training Instructor 1, Firesafety Inspector, Fire Investigator 1, BLS Instructor, ACLS Instructor, and is an ACE Peer Fitness Trainer.  He holds an Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medical Services and is currently pursuing his Bachelors’ Degree in Public Safety Administration from St. Petersburg College.
In addition to his duties with the City of Gulfport, Lt. Poirrier serves as an Adjunct Instructor for St. Petersburg College’s Fire Academy program and as a preceptor for their EMS program.  (Lt. Poirrier can reached via e-mail at apoirrier@mygulfport.us)      

Lieutenant Erick Fuchs

C Shift 

 Lieutenant Erick Fuchs is currently assigned as the C- Shift Lieutenant and the Departments Logistics Officer.  Lt. Fuchs began his career with the City of Gulfport in 1999 as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT. He was hired full time in February 2002 and promoted to Lieutenant in March 2010.  Lt. Fuchs is a certified EMT and serves as the Department’s Logistics Officer is in charge of overseeing the Station Supplies and Facility Maintenance.  He also holds certificates as a Pump Operator, Fire Instructor 1, Fire Officer 1 and CPR Instructor with the American Heart Association, and an EMT Preceptor for St. Petersburg College.    

Training Drills

-Station Pictures-

Entry from truck bays

Workstation/Computer Room

Kitchen

Dining Area

Bunkrooms

Dayroom

Entryway to Administration

Fire Chief’s Office

Administration/Living Quarters

Apparatus

Engine 17

2004 Emergency-One, ALS Engine Company

• Type of Unit: Rescue Pumper

• Manufacturer: E-One

• Year Manufactured: 2004

• Engine: Cummins ISC 330hp

• Chassis: Cyclone II Cab                    

• Transmission: Allison

• Pump: Hale QFLO 1250gpm

• Tank Size: 780gallon

• Generator: Onan Hydraulic 6kw

• Onan Extrication Tools

• Hose Loads (1000’-5”, 400’-3”, 200’-2-1/2”, 400’-1-3/4”)

Pumper 17

1994 Pierce Saber, ALS Pumper (Reserve)

• Equipped with a 1250 gpm Waterous Pump

• 750 gallon Water Tank

• Hose Loads (1000’-5”, 400’-3”, 200’-2-1/2”, 400’-1-3/4”)

• Honda Generator w/ Quatz Lights  

Fire Chief vehicle

Fire Inspector/Investigator vehicle

Antique

• 1925 American LaFrance Type 12/75  

• (original to the City then restored in 1997)

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