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Congratulations to Firefighter Dave Johnson, recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award for 2013.
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Firefighter Johnson was selected as the "2013 Firefighter of the Year" for his outstanding display of individual initiative surpassing job requirements and expectations, specifically by rendering aid to the victims of a complicated vehicle incident involving a fallen tree and multiple bee stings. On May 30, 2013 Coral Gables Fire Engine 1 crew was dispatched to a vehicle accident and found upon arrival a large tree that had fallen onto a truck. Once the tree impacted the truck, a bee's nest in the tree was disturbed. Bees immediately entered through the broken vehicle glass stinging both occupants multiple times. Neighbors and good Samaritans trying to help the victims of the accident were also stung. Firefighters immediately extricated the occupants of the vehicle (a man and his 4 year old daughter) from the wreckage.
Firefighter Johnson's experience as a professional bee keeper and his expertise in mitigating bee problems proved invaluable in successfully handling this dangerous situation.