Clearwater Firefighters Association 1158

04/10/2026

Did You Know?

Local 1158 proudly represents the hardworking firefighters of Clearwater, East Lake, and New Port Richey.

Today, we had the honor of attending and celebrating the grand opening of New Port Richey Fire Station #2—a major step forward in supporting both our members and the community they serve.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Senator Ed Hooper and Representative Brad Yeager for their leadership and support in making this much-needed fire station a reality.

This new station will play a vital role in enhancing service, response times, and safety for the citizens of New Port Richey while providing critical support to the firefighters who protect them every day.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this project to life. Your efforts make a lasting difference.

04/02/2026

Members of the Executive Board from Local 1158, alongside firefighters from across the United States and Canada, spent the last five days attending in Las Vegas.

This week was packed with valuable education, hands-on training, and meaningful networking opportunities. From sharpening our skills to sharing real-world experiences, every moment was focused on becoming stronger, more effective leaders for our membership.

We’re bringing that knowledge and energy back home to continue advocating for and supporting the firefighters of Local 1158 and the communities we serve.

02/04/2026

Local 1158 is proud to congratulate Noland Slone for being selected as the Clearwater Fire & Rescue paramedic of the year! Noland was nominated by many of his peers and supervisors for this prestigious award. The following is just one of these thoughtful nominations. Great work Slone!

To the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Awards Committee,

It is my distinct honor to nominate Fire Medic Nolan Slone for Paramedic of the Year. Fire Medic Slone exemplifies the highest standards of Clearwater Fire & Rescue and consistently performs at a level that not only meets expectations, but far exceeds them in every measurable and immeasurable way.

Throughout his career with our department, Fire Medic Slone has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, mentorship, and organizational pride. He is a provider who quietly delivers extraordinary performance day after day, never seeking recognition, yet continuously elevating those around him.

One of Fire Medic Slone’s most impactful contributions is his dedication to the development of future paramedics and firefighters. He serves as a trusted preceptor for the School of EMS and as an SPC EMS instructor, investing countless hours ensuring that students under his guidance receive the highest-quality education, grounded in practical experience and professionalism. His ability to teach, coach, and mentor new providers has directly strengthened the level of care delivered across our community.

Additionally, Fire Medic Slone plays an integral role in the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Rookie School, where he instructs new hires and sets the tone for what it means to serve this department with competence and character. His involvement ensures that our next generation of firefighters begins their careers with a strong clinical foundation, disciplined work ethic, and a commitment to excellence.

Beyond his instructional roles, Fire Medic Slone is an active and valued member of the Clearwater Fire Rescue ALS Competition Team. His participation demonstrates his dedication to mastering advanced paramedicine, pushing himself and his teammates to perform at elite levels, and representing our department with professionalism and pride.

Fire Medic Slone also takes a proactive approach to leadership development. Although unrelated to this award, his ongoing work on his Lieutenant Task Book reflects his drive to grow, improve, and become a leader capable of supporting and guiding both new and veteran members of the organization. In the field, he already demonstrates many of those leadership qualities—calm under pressure, clinically sound, supportive of coworkers, and consistently willing to step up without hesitation.

Perhaps most importantly, Fire Medic Slone embodies humility and service. He frequently goes above and beyond the expectations of his role, often without anyone asking and without ever seeking acknowledgment. His consistent, reliable, and high-quality performance is precisely what allows our department to function at its best, and he does so with professionalism, teamwork, and integrity every single day.

In short, while this nomination is not tied to a single dramatic call or isolated event, it is instead based on something far more significant: sustained excellence. Fire Medic Slone has built a reputation for exceptional work throughout his tenure at Clearwater Fire & Rescue, and he represents the very best of what it means to be a Fire Medic in this organization.

For these reasons, I strongly and wholeheartedly recommend Fire Medic Nolan Slone for Paramedic of the Year. His dedication, skill, mentorship, and consistent excellence make him more than deserving of this honor.

02/03/2026

Local 1158 is proud to congratulate Jake Williams for being awarded Clearwater Fire & Rescue Firefighter of the year. Below is one of his many thoughtful nominations. Great job Jake!

It is with great pride and unwavering confidence that I nominate Fire Medic Jake Williams for the Firefighter of the Year award. Jake consistently embodies the highest standards of service, professionalism, and courage—qualities that reflect the very core of our department’s mission.

Jake’s dedication was exemplified during a recent structure fire in which he rescued a trapped victim from a burning building, demonstrating exceptional bravery and composure under extreme pressure. His quick assessment, decisive action, and commitment to the safety of others directly contributed to saving a life. This incident is just one of many that highlight his courage and readiness to serve in the most challenging circumstances.

Beyond his actions on the fireground, Jake continually strives to elevate his knowledge and skills. He actively seeks out training opportunities, embraces new responsibilities, and is committed to mastering every aspect of his role. His initiative and leadership development are evident in his performance as an acting officer, where he consistently demonstrates ownership, accountability, and sound decision-making.

Jake leads by example. His dedication to professional growth, his calm and competent presence in emergencies, and his unwavering commitment to the community make him an outstanding representative of our department. He is respected by his peers, trusted by his supervisors, and admired by those he serves.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend Fire Medic Jake Williams for the Firefighter of the Year award. His actions, character, and leadership make him truly deserving of this recognition.

01/29/2026

This week, Local 1158 President David Sowers and Vice President Logan Chaple traveled to Tallahassee alongside firefighters from Pinellas County and across the state to take part in Florida’s Legislative Session.

It was a full and productive week spent meeting with lawmakers to discuss legislation supported by the Florida Professional Firefighters, while continuing the important work of building and maintaining strong relationships with legislators who have consistently stood with Florida’s firefighters and EMS professionals.

We were honored to meet with all of our senators and representatives, and especially proud to spend time with Senator Ed Hooper, a former Clearwater firefighter who understands firsthand the job, the risks, and the commitment required to serve our communities.

These conversations matter. Advocacy matters. And showing up for our members today helps protect firefighters tomorrow.

Proud to represent Local 1158 and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with firefighters from across Florida

01/27/2026

🚑 Busy Doesn’t Even Begin to Cover It 🚒

📌 Disclaimer: While the chart displays “last 30 days,” this data has only been collected since January 13th, making these numbers even more impressive.

The two busiest units in Pinellas County are Clearwater Fire & Rescue units:

🥇 ME45 – 225 responses (Medic 45 is a non-transport rescue truck staffed with two Fire Medics or a Fire Medic and a Firefighter/EMT. This unit is stationed in downtown Clearwater.)

🥈 R48 – 170 responses (Rescue 48 is a transport-capable rescue truck stationed in midtown Clearwater on Belcher, across from the Long Center.)

That means two of the hardest-working rescue units in the entire county are right here in Clearwater.

🤔 Something you may not have known:
Over 83% of our calls are medical in nature. The modern fire services call volume is overwhelmingly EMS, and our firefighters are providing advanced medical care around the clock while still being ready for fires, rescues, and everything in between.

This is a huge credit to the professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication of our members. Getting absolutely hammered with call volume and still showing up prepared, compassionate, and squared away on every run is no small thing.

Proud to represent a local where our firefighters continue to raise the bar for service to the citizens of Clearwater and Pinellas County. 💪🔥

05/04/2025

01/27/2025