Fire Chief Jeff Malzone presents Lt. Jason Gennaro with "Firefighter of the Year" Award
2007 Firefighter of the Year
Fire Chief Jeff Malzone presents Lt. Jason Gennaro with "Firefighter of the Year" Award
February 9, 2008
Lieutenant / Paramedic Jason Gennaro was named East Lake Fire Rescue's Firefighter of the Year at the
department's annual banquet. Gennaro, an 11 year veteran, has instructed multiple training sessions in East Lake
and has also assisted with multi-agency drills in 2007.
Biography
It’s kind of funny how I got involved in the fire service because as a teenager I wanted to become a nurse. When I finished high school I worked various construction trades and decided working as a laborer was not what I wanted out of life. I desired an occupation that challenged me and thought that nursing was my best choice. While I was taking pre-requisite nursing courses I volunteered at Northwest Hernando County Fire Rescue. I started volunteering at the fire department to get medical experience for nursing. I immediately was hooked on the firefighting job. I spent countless hours volunteering to get accustomed to the gear, equipment, and procedures of being a firefighter. After one week of volunteering I completely lost my interest in nursing. At that point I knew that a professional firefighting career was what I wanted more than anything.
As my career moved forward I spent two years working for Northwest Hernando Fire Rescue as a volunteer and reserve firefighter, two years in Pasco County as a firefighter/paramedic, and 11 years at East lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District. I also worked various second jobs to enrich my firefighting career such as an ER paramedic and adjunct firefighting instructor at Pasco Hernando Community College.
In reference to positions held, I have worked as a firefighter/paramedic, engineer/paramedic, and a lieutenant/paramedic. I was hired at East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District in July of 1996. I worked as a fire medic from that time until 1999 when I was promoted to driver engineer. I worked as a driver for eight years and in June of 2007 I was promoted to lieutenant/paramedic and assigned to station 56.
In reference to education, I have always valued education and training and to this day consider learning to be a lifelong endeavor. Lucky for me East lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District shares this educational philosophy and has provided me the opportunity to attain multiple degrees and certifications. As far as degrees are concerned I have an Associates Degree in EMS from Pasco Hernando Community College, an undergraduate degree in management from International College, and a graduate degree in public administration from Troy State University. Above and beyond the required certificates I have Florida state certifications for Inspector I, II, Instructor III, Live Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, II, Investigator I, and Pump Operator.
As I mentioned earlier, I feel that training and education is paramount for a career in the fire service. Well, after 16 years in the fire service I still have that philosophy but now instead of taking classes and enrolling in courses my passion is teaching and facilitating the learning environment. For the last three years I have helped the training division with north county training drills, organized fire related training at East Lake, and taught the firefighting component of the new employee orientation. My personal favorite is the new employee orientation. I truly feel that mentoring and teaching the new employees is vital for both the success of the department and the employee. At this point in my career I get the most powerful feeling of job satisfaction when the new employees learn and prosper from the orientation and that’s why it’s my favorite.
As for my future in the fire service, I plan on attending fire conferences to keep myself abreast of current information and expanding my role as a fire instructor. I’m attending the Orlando Fire Conference this month and have aspirations of one day attending the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis.
