City of Palm Bay to Celebrate Firefighters’ Awards and Heroic Life-Saving Efforts During Ceremony on February 5

Off-Duty Palm Bay Firefighters Save Runner’s Life During Race, Earn City Recognition

The City of Palm Bay will recognize several members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue for exceptional service and life-saving actions during a special recognition ceremony scheduled for Thursday, February 5, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Palm Bay City Hall. Above, Kolter Klasek earned Firefighter of the Year and was presented with a new leather helmet. (PBFR image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA — The City of Palm Bay will recognize several members of Palm Bay Fire Rescue for exceptional service and life-saving actions during a special recognition ceremony scheduled for Thursday, February 5, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Palm Bay City Hall.

The ceremony will take place prior to the regular City Council meeting, and a cake reception will follow. Community members are invited to attend and help celebrate the honorees.

During the event, city leaders will formally acknowledge Palm Bay Fire Rescue employees who were recently honored by the Space Coast Fire Chiefs’ Association at its annual awards ceremony for their outstanding performance and dedication to the fire service.

Those being recognized include:

■ Firefighter of the Year: Kolter Klasek

■ Chief Officer of the Year: Brian Miller

■ Inspector of the Year: Valerie Baptiste

Valerie Baptiste, Fire Inspector and Community Outreach Advocate, received the Fire Inspector of the Year award. (PBFR image)

Brian Miller, Battalion Chief, center, was named Chief Officer of the Year. (PBFR image)

City officials say the awards reflect the recipients’ consistent professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in serving the Palm Bay community.

In addition to the regional honors, two Palm Bay Fire Rescue lieutenants will be recognized for their decisive and life-saving actions during the annual Jingle Bell 2 Mile race held in Satellite Beach on December 20, 2025.

Lieutenants Cam Drake and Chris Childs were participating in the race off duty when a runner collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.

According to Satellite Beach Fire Department officials, an on-duty standby crew at the event immediately began patient care.

Drake and Childs stopped running and rushed to assist, providing critical support to the emergency response and helping sustain advanced life-saving measures during a crucial moment.

The combined efforts of responders successfully resuscitated the patient. The runner was reported to be alert during transport to the hospital for further treatment.

“These actions show how much they care for others and that firefighters are never truly off duty,” Satellite Beach Fire Department leadership wrote in correspondence recognizing the lieutenants’ actions.

City officials say the recognition ceremony underscores Palm Bay Fire Rescue’s culture of service, teamwork, and compassion—values demonstrated daily by its personnel, whether on the clock or in their personal time.

“The City of Palm Bay is proud to recognize the dedication, professionalism, and compassion shown by these individuals,” city leaders said in a statement. “Their commitment to public safety makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents and the region as a whole.”

Residents are encouraged to attend the February 5 ceremony and join city leadership in congratulating the honorees for their outstanding contributions to the community.

During a recent pinning ceremony hosted at Heritage High School, Fire Chief Stover officially swore in Assistant Chief April Rattray and Assistant Chief Mark Weiss, who will now serve as part of the department’s command staff. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the department’s continued growth over the past two months. (PBFR image)

Palm Bay Fire Rescue continues to strengthen its leadership ranks and celebrate departmental excellence with the swearing-in of two new Assistant Chiefs, the addition of new recruits, multiple promotions, and several prestigious regional awards. (PBFR image)

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