Celebrating Marco First Responders

The 18th Annual Celebration Luncheon highlighting the achievements of Marco Island’s First Responders, hosted by the Marco Island Fire Foundation, was held at the Island Country Club on Wednesday, February 26th. 

Fire Foundation President Diana Dohm was the first to welcome both the attendees and the honorees as everyone took time to mingle before sitting down to dine. First responders and their families decorated the tables as well as representatives from many Marco Island organizations including the Center of the Arts, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, CAMMI, MICA, Marco Island Area Association of Realtors, and the Fire Foundations sister organization, the MI Police Foundation. 

City Councilors Deb Henry and Bonita Shawn, Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro, and Fire Commissioner Chris Crossan were also in attendance. Police Chief Tracy Frazzano and members of MIPD showed their support, to which President Dohm noted, “We work better together.”

Dohm thanked the First Responders, stating, “You protect us every day and it is much appreciated.” She went on to thank the members of the foundation present, with whose support made possible over 70 scholarships, medical aid, and financial assistance to the local first responders and their families in need. “They take care of us, so our job is to make sure they're taken care of.” 

Lieutenant Dirk Switken led the luncheon guests in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Pastor Scott Kerens of Marco Presbyterian Church, who performed the invocation.

The question, “Are you a member of the Fire Foundation?” could be heard left and right during the meal as guests enjoyed each other’s company. 

Dohm returned to the podium and called up the current members of the Fire Rescue Board. City Manager Mike McNees joined the group to swear in three new directors who pledged to uphold and support the foundation mission, committing to assist in raising funds to provide relief and support to fire rescue personnel and their immediate families and promote fire service education and scholarships within the community.

Fire Chief Chris Byrne applauded the board and proceeded to give an update on the department’s year, highlighting the 4,104 incidents that MIFD responded to, ranging from fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, technical rescues, and emergencies on local waterways. He praised the fire marshal and inspectors who interact with residents and businesses, educating them on safety and fire prevention. “Our staff provided CPR and AED education to 354 residents, and this year, we began to include how to recognize and treat a victim of an opioid overdose and how to administer Narcan.” He made sure to note that Narcan is available for free at the fire station after completion of the CPR and AED training course, which is provided free of charge as well. He thanked those who have donated AEDs to local facilities, citing their helpfulness in saving a life.

Chief Byrne smiled proudly, stating that 19 firefighter paramedics received the Phoenix Award, given to those who successfully revive a cardiac arrest victim. Captain Jeffrey Kutzke and Deputy Chief Matt Marshall also received special Life Saving Awards. 

The community was impacted by three tropical cyclones, requiring activation of the city’s emergency operations center. Storm Surge brought flooding, creating the need for high-water vehicles and service from Public Works and Water and Sewer Utility First Responders. 

After Hurricane mode came delivery of the new fireboat, which brought forth necessary training and is already responding to emergencies.

“We ended our year receiving our First Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, and we established a contract with the department's first Medical Director, Dr. Hunter Brown.” Dr. Brown is a certified emergency physician currently serving as chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Physicians Regional Medical Centers. 

Shaking hands with the Chief, Dr. Brown addressed the crowd, “I've always had the utmost respect for what you do, for the challenges you face in the field, the split-second decisions, the high stakes environment, and the emotional and physical toll that come with this line of work. Now, in this new role, my mission is clear: to support you, to strengthen our medical protocols, and to ensure that our fire rescue teams have the training resources and guidance needed to deliver the highest level of pre-hospital care. Emergency medicine doesn't start at the hospital doors. It starts in the field.” 

Next came an award that is not always given but whose recipient exemplified quick thinking and the importance of CPR training. On January 14th, Island Country Club’s CEO and General Manager, Nick von Hofen, instantly stepped into action when a patron collapsed. Performing the lifesaving action, he became a reminder of how one person can make a difference in someone’s life. The Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation's Heroes Award was bestowed to vonHofen. “I was there at the right time, at the right place. If I could, I would give this award to all of you and for all you do for Marco Island, for the firefighters, for the police, for this whole community,” said von Hofen. 

Tamara Switken beamed brightly as she stood beside her husband, newly promoted Lieutenant Paramedic Dirk Switken, before pinning the badge to his uniform, a tradition. A Navy Veteran, former Fort Myers Firefighter, and Collier County EMS, Dirk joined MIFD in 2016. He is responsible for training the paramedics and EMTs, educating new paramedics to achieve Medical Director credentialing, and maintaining inventory of medical supplies and equipment. Dirk is known to bring high energy to everything he does, and his infectious personality could be felt as he thanked and waved to the room. 

The last item on the agenda invoked earnest emotions from the attendees as Chief Byrne recalled the harrowing events of December 4th, when Fire Boat Operator and Engineer Paramedic Brad Underwood led his team that included Firefighter Paramedic Brandon Sierra and John Chimpoulis, on an emergency marine incident. 

The United States Coast Guard notified the Duty Battalion Chief Scott Corey of the incident, then 10 miles southwest of Marco Island. The old fire boat (Fire Boat 50) had its last run, as it left to rescue an inoperable and quickly deteriorating sailboat where two adults, one who was suffering from chest pains, and one dog.

At that time, the marine weather conditions were choppy, and the temperature was 46 degrees. The strong winds only served to blow the sailboat further out. Enduring rough seas and often taking water over the bow, the fireboat and crew were fully exposed to the elements. Despite the rough conditions, they responded within an hour and a half to the now 22 miles out sailboat. 

They found the sailboat near capsized. Engineer Paramedic Underwood skillfully maneuvered the boat, giving the crew a chance to practically jump to the failing sailboat. With the arrival of Fireboat 90 from Isles of Capri, Firefighter Paramedics Sierra and Chimpoulis transferred the adults and dog to the enclosed cabin on Fireboat 90 and began medical treatment to the adult experiencing chest pains. 

The fireboats began their return to Marco Island when Fireboat 90 experienced mechanical failure, resulting in Underwood having to escort the boat solo using Fire Boat 50 to break the wave action. This led to taking on tremendous amounts of salt water and spray throughout the three-hour trip back to Marco Island. 

The Fireboats arrived at Caxambas after the five-hour event. Battalion Chief Corey met the fireboat crew and quickly realized that Underwood was suffering from exhaustion and hypothermia. He and the crew were placed in a warm vehicle before returning to the station for recovery. The sailboat occupants, including the dog, also went to the station for rest after declining further medical attention as they were deemed stable by the efforts of the crew while on Fire Boat 90. 

Recognizing the team’s outstanding performance and bravery, with whose actions resulted in the successful rescue of two adults and one dog, the Unit Citation Award was presented to Fire Boat Operator and Engineer Paramedic Brad Underwood and crew members Firefighter Paramedics Brandon Sierra and John Chimpoulis, and Incident Commander and Battalion Chief Scott Corey.

The 2024 Firefighter of the Year Presentation was given to Engineer Paramedic Brad Underwood for his exemplary leadership during this rescue effort. Unable to attend in person due to a family illness, Underwood expressed his thanks via Video Chat. 

Battalion Chief Scott Corey closed out the event by taking a moment to address both his team and the crowd, “There's not too often when we do our jobs that we think, ’ We really made a difference today.’ But these men here, they made a difference that day. They are going to remember that day for the rest of their careers. It could have been a much different situation for those people.”

“We couldn’t do what we do without your support,” says Dohm, “You never know how much you need first responders, until you do.”

If you would like to become a member of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation to help make a difference in the lives of our first responders and their families, please visit www.marcoislandfirerescuefoundation.com for more information.