Brevard County Fire Rescue has over 500 emergency service personnel which need to be kept supplied with uniforms, bunker gear, boot, and personal protective equipment. This requirement to keep the crews supplied also extends to the more than 30 fire stations. Obviously, this is no easy task. While one person cannot accomplish this Herculean effort on her own, Doreen Murray is the go to person for the Supply section. Her efforts in contacting personnel, issuing items, receiving inventory, and tracking invoices represents a huge level of patience and commitment to Brevard County Fire rescue.

When the phone rings in the supply office, as it frequently does, Doreen is the person who answers the phone. She is the first contact for the agency. While Doreen is not alone in the responsibility of organizing, monitoring, and distributing supplies, her co-workers acknowledge that the job of supplying Brevard County Fire Rescue would be nearly impossible without Doreen's help.

For all her extra effort in keeping things running smoothly, and dedication to our Department, Doreen Murray is awarded the civilian employee of the year.

Volunteer Fire Chief Jim Owler exemplifies all the fine qualities found in the best volunteer firefighters. His dedication, leadership, and desire to serve his community is evident by the effectiveness of the Mims Volunteer Fire Department. Under Chief Owler's leadership, the Mims Volunteer Fire Department is a dynamic organization that is always ready to respond to calls when needed.

Chief Owler recognizes the diversity calls that his department responds to. Through his guidance, his volunteer firefighters are proficient in engine, tanker, and brush truck operations. His dedication and loyalty are well known to those who work with him. Jim's great desire to serve his community is what truly defines the word volunteer firefighter.


For these reasons, Volunteer Chief Jim Owler is recognized as Brevard County Fire Rescue's Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.

A smile can do many things and is often the most important treatment a patient needs. A smile is the best single word to describe Jeanne Nadle. Paramedic Nadle is an EMS Reservist whose desire to help others is evident in the countless hours she works riding on rescue units and providing medical coverage at special events. She never says no to an opportunity to help our citizens.

When a rescue unit arrives on an emergency scene and Jeanne makes contact with her patient, her true magic begins. Her compassion, kindness, and generosity, along with her excellent medical skills, does wonders for the patients who receive her care.

For her commitment to our citizens and the healing power of her smile, Paramedic Jeanne Nadle is recognized as Brevard County Fire Rescue's Reservist of the Year.

The tradition of volunteer firefighters is a proud one. It's foundation is built upon the basic concept of members of a community serving their neighbors. No finer example of this tradition exists than Four Communities Fire Department. This department has provided countless hours of emergency services to the County through it's response to structure fires, wildfires, and emergency medical scenes.

The Four Communities Fire Department is a centerpiece in it's community, whose members believe in being a good neighbor means more than just saying hello in passing. To these volunteer firefighters, being a good neighbor is someone who is willing to protect lives and homes of their neighbors.

For these reasons, the Four Communities Fire Department is recognized as Brevard County Fire Rescue's Volunteer Fire Department of the Year.

There is much written about what tactics to use when fighting fire, however, the single best strategy is one that prevents the fire from ever occurring. That strategy is the one used by our Fire Prevention Bureau. Spear-heading the charge to prevent fires and increase the safety of citizens and firefighters is Fire Inspector Jim Malota.

Inspector Malota's experience and knowledge, coupled with his dedication to safety, has made him an influential force in the field of Fire Prevention. Jim can always be counted on to perform thorough filed inspections and ensure that fire safety deficiencies are corrected. It is impossible to put a number on the potential lives that were saved and the value of property that might have been lost had it not been for his efforts.

For these reasons, Fire Inspector Jim Malota is Brevard County Fire Rescue's Fire Inspector of the Year.

Emergency Medical Dispatchers are vital members of the emergency response system. They are usually the first professionals citizens have contact with during an emergency or natural disaster. Emergency Medical Dispatchers must be able to manage all incoming calls, carefully question the caller to determine the type of emergency that exists, if there are any injuries, and get the geographical location of the incident. This requires an individual to work well under pressure and be able to solve problems quickly.

Emergency Medical Dispatchers are the citizen's lifeline for help until emergency units arrive on scene. Carrie Dehler is that lifeline. Carrie can calm a patient or their family, give instructions over the phone for CPR, or even how to deliver a baby. She maintains detailed records of information that is received, and any services that are needed. Carrie is an individual who is comfortable with sophisticated computer and telecommunications equipment, as well as having exceptional communication skills.

Carrie Dehler has established and maintained respected relationships with her peers and with all those who rely on her professional skills and judgment. Carrie is an inspiration to everyone she comes in contact with.

For these reasons, Carrie Dehler is recognized as Brevard County Fire Rescue's Dispatcher of the Year.

In 2002, Brevard County Fire Rescue lost Assistant Chief Tim Mills. Assistant Chief Mills brought to Fire Rescue integrity, determination, and humor throughout his career, but especially during the transition period. His character reflected the very best in the fire service and is measuring tool for all of us. For this reason, Brevard County Fire Rescue recognizes one of it's own annually to receive the Tim Mills Commerative Award.

When George Murray began his career with Brevard County Fire Rescue, he wanted to be a crew member that everyone could count on. He knew that he had some difficult personal obstacles to overcome in order to safely complete fire school. Through his own personal motivation, he made some drastic personal changes in his lifestyle and overcame those obstacles. Today, George is a crew member that everyone can count on. His own personal discipline has shown that he can meet any challenge. He has become a firefighter, and a valuable member of Brevard County Fire Rescue, both on duty, and a Quality Assurance Committee Member.

For his personal action, character, and discipline, Firemedic George Murray is being awarded the Tim Mills Commerative Award.

Scott Eddleman is an 8 year veteran of Brevard County Fire Rescue. Throughout his career, Scott has demonstrated a dedication to his profession that is matched by few others. He is constantly seeking to better himself through education and training. Firefighter Eddleman's presence on emergency calls instills confidence in other firefighters, that Scott will get the job done correctly and safely.

Firefighter Eddleman has several accomplishments in this department. He is a member of our department's apparatus committee, his efforts have helped re-shape Brevard County Fire Rescue's engine fleet to be the best in the department history. Scott was instrumental in making the State Firefighter Games we hosted in Brevard County a few years ago be recognized as the best Firefighter Games held to date, and every year, Scott offers his assistance and expertise to other departments who host the games. Firefighter Eddleman became certified to perform pre-scribed burning of wild lands, which directly reduces the threat of wild fires that could endanger homes and businesses. He has volunteered several times to go outside the state, utilizing his own annual leave, to assist other states in fighting their wild fires. Scott can also be counted on to be one of the first people involved with a charitable event or fundraiser. Whether it's organizing a softball game or trying to bring in the most money during the Muscular Dystrophy Association boot drive, he's always there to help.

For these reasons, Firefighter Scott Eddleman is recognized as Brevard County Fire Rescue's Firefighter of the Year.

The station officer, the Lieutenant is the cornerstone of BCFR's emergency service. It is through the guidance, commitment, and leadership of our Lieutenants that emergency calls are handled properly and the personnel kept safe. No one presents a finer example of what a Lieutenant should be than Bob Furci.

Lieutenant Furci is an excellent fire-ground officer whose expertise and knowledge is well respected by all. Bob is an exceptional educator who has trained countless new firefighters, sharing with them his vast knowledge and teaching them the lessons that can only be taught by someone who possesses a great love of firefighting. Lieutenant Furci believes that to be a good firefighter, one must be not only be of sound mind, but also of a fit body. Bob was instrumental in the purchase, delivery, and setup of almost all the weight lifting equipment and treadmills that are in our stations.

Lieutenant Furci's hard work and dedication is a true tribute to how much he cares for his fellow firefighters.

For these reasons, Lieutenant Bob Furci is recognized as Brevard County Fire Rescue's Officer of the Year.