West Manatee Fire and Rescue District

10/23/2026

Please Join Us in Congratulating Our Newly Promoted Members!

West Manatee Fire Rescue is proud to recognize and congratulate the following members on their well-deserved promotions!

🔥 Lieutenant to Captain:

• John Stump

🔥 1st Class Firefighter to Lieutenant:

• Clayton Lease

🔥 Probationary Fire & Life Safety Inspector to Level II Fire & Life Safety Inspector:

• Malik Staton

🔥 3rd Class Firefighter to 2nd Class Firefighter:

• Gabe Gonzalez
• Kyle Elliot
• Matt French
• Zack Misiura

These promotions are a huge accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment each of these members has put into their careers. Each of these individuals has worked hard to reach this next step, while continuing to make our department stronger and our fire district an even better and safer place for the community we serve.

We are extremely proud of each of you and appreciate everything you do for our department and our community. We look forward to seeing you continue to grow and succeed in your new roles.

Congratulations again, gentlemen! Your WMFR family is proud of you!

10/19/2026

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10/17/2026

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10/17/2026

10/17/2026

10/14/2026

10/01/2026

PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT

Today, our Chiefs had the honor of presenting two of our members with their new helmets as they officially step into their new roles!

John Stump has been promoted from Lieutenant to Captain.

Clayton Lease has been promoted from First Class Firefighter to Lieutenant.

Both John and Clayton went through an extensive testing and interview process alongside several other very well-qualified candidates. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the department have earned them the opportunity to take on these new leadership roles.

Both have already proven themselves to be great leaders, and we know they will continue to make West Manatee Fire Rescue stronger through their leadership, dedication, and commitment to our members and the community we serve.

Congratulations, Captain John Stump and Lieutenant Clayton Lease! These promotions are well deserved, and we’re excited to see you both continue to grow and lead in your new positions!

10/01/2026

🔥 OCTOBER IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH! 🔥

But do you know why October?

It goes back to the Great Chicago Fire, which burned from October 8–10, 1871. At the time, much of Chicago was built of wood, buildings were packed closely together, conditions were extremely dry, and fire prevention and building safety standards were nothing like they are today.

In just two days, the fire burned more than 2,100 acres, destroyed 17,501 buildings, left nearly 100,000 people homeless, and killed an estimated 300 people. The damage totaled approximately $222 million in 1871 — nearly $6 BILLION in today’s money.

Tragedies like the Great Chicago Fire changed the way we think about fire safety and showed us something we can never forget: the best time to stop a fire is before it ever starts.

That is why fire prevention is so important. Fire codes, building codes, smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, inspections, and fire safety education save lives. They may not always be noticed, but every one of them exists because lessons were learned—often at a tremendous cost.

Fire prevention is more than following a code. It’s about preventing the next tragedy, protecting lives and property, and making sure everyone goes home safe.