TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Present Certificate of Recognition to Lieutenant Raymond Coyle and Engineer/EMT Matthew Parrish for Efforts in Aiding With the Ross Wildfire in Mineral Wells, Texas.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Present Certificates of Recognition to Lieutenant Raymond Coyle and Engineer/EMT Matthew Parrish for aiding with the Ross Wildfire in Mineral Wells, Texas.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Present Certificates of Recognition to Lieutenant Raymond Coyle and Engineer/EMT Matthew Parrish for aiding with the Ross Wildfire in Mineral Wells, Texas.
• Pros: Formally recognizes the efforts of Lieutenant Coyle and Engineer/EMT Parrish in going above and beyond the call of duty during an emergency management deployment.
• Cons: None identified.
Option 2: Do not present the Certificates of Recognition.
• Pros: None identified.
• Cons: The efforts of Lieutenant Coyle and Engineer/EMT Parrish would not be formally recognized.
Background Information
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) recently requested Firefighter assistance to aid in battling the Ross Wildfire which burned across Palo Pinto and Jack Counties in Texas. The North Port Fire Rescue Department reached out to their qualified members and Lieutenant Raymond Coyle and Fire Engineer/EMT Matthew Parrish both responded that they were willing to provide their assistance.
Lieutenant Coyle and Engineer/EMT Parrish left North Port on August 28, 2026, for Mineral Wells, Texas and returned on September 14, 2026. During their deployment, they battled the blaze for long hours in difficult conditions, away from their families, doing whatever was needed to protect the lives and property of the locals.
During their time on deployment, their Strike Team Leader Bryan Spooner, a Marine Support Officer with Pasco County Fire Rescue, reported their performance as exceptional throughout the assignment. According to Officer Spooner, while faced with challenges, “both individuals consistently operated at a very high level; remained mission-focused; and demonstrated unwavering commitment to the team. Their professionalism, adaptability, and teamwork were evident each day during the deployment.”
The North Port Fire Rescue Department would like to formally recognize Lieutenant Coyle and Engineer/EMT Parrish for their outstanding efforts and professionalism during the assignment. They represented not only the North Port Fire Rescue Department, but the State of Florida exceptionally.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Certificate - Lt. Raymond Coyle
2. Certificate - Engineer Matthew Parrish.
Prepared by: Scott Titus, Fire Chief
Department Director: Scott Titus, Fire Chief