Fire & Rescue Department

Clearwater Firefighter of the Year 2008

Lieutenant Matt Daerr has been selected as Clearwater Fire & Rescue’s Firefighter of the Year for 2009.  LT Daerr began his career with CFR on October 4, 1999, promoted to Driver/Operator on December 24, 2005, and promoted to Lieutenant December 6, 2008. On June 11, 2008 Matt was participating in a Jet Ski training exercise. FM Jason Matthews, who was also in the exercise, was thrown from his Jet Ski and was knocked unconscious in the water.  Matt saw that Jason was in trouble and immediately proceeded to find Jason and bring him back to shore.  Matt’s strong work ethic, compassionate patient care, and his actions in saving the life of a brother firefighter make him a valuable asset to the Fire Department. 

Clearwater Fire Medics Receive 2008 Turner Award

Clearwater Fire & Rescue Fire Medics Matt Daerr, Shawn Lawrentz and Jason Thibault received the 32nd Annual Turner Award for Excellence for their exemplary performance in 2008. The Turner Award, established in 1977, recognizes Fire Medics who best exemplify Emergency Medical Service professionalism.

Graduates - Recruit Class #11
Recruit Class 11 took the Fire Fighter "Oath of Honor" and are now fully qualified firefighters with Clearwater Fire & Rescue. Congratulations!

City of Clearwater Employees of the Month
DO Gary Costa - August 2008
Deb Weitzel - December 2008

Top Shock Awards
2008

Firefighter of the Year
2004 - FF Doug Swartz
2005 - Lt. Larry Willams
2006 - FF James Brent Bronson
2007- Lt. Stanley Loveday
2008 – Lt. Matt Daerr

Turner Award Team Award
2004 - Bradley Golomb, Alex Monte, Shawn Taber
2005 - FM Kevin Boaden,, Lt. Brent Bronson, and FM James Westerman
2006 - DO Michael Faulkner, FM Stephen Colbert, and Lt. Gary Spence
2007 - FM Monica Juarbe and FM Jason Matthews
2008 - Lt. Matt Daerr, FM Shawn Lawrentz, and FM Jason Thibault

2008 Retirees
27 1/2 years – DO Patrick Scanlon
28 1/2 years – FF David Dopirak
28 1/2 years – Lt. William Watkins
30 years - Lt. Hugh Yeager

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