Written by Stephanie Seemann
What a glorious sunny, not too hot Sunday in May at the Miami Beach Fire Station on Pine Tree. Thanks to the leadership of Miami Beach Fire Department Fire Investigator, Michael Sica, this day was like no other in the history of the MB Fire Department. Garage open, the American flag proudly on display, a shiny fire truck as the backdrop, folded chairs waiting to be filled by proud parents, card tables with dozens of donuts, cupcakes, orange juice and boxed meals. Select firefighters practicing for the flag ceremony all walking in unison. Everywhere smiles, laughter, excitement as onlookers took in the small town feel. One resident mentioned he was in a state of nostalgia, and Mid-western transplant, Ljilja Mladenovic who grew up with charitable events like these back in Indiana and Illinois never thought she would experience something so special like this occasion on Miami Beach. It wasn’t lost on anyone present that day the growing need for public service events that bring the best out of all of us. Small town Miami Beach was holding steady its small town charm as the town faces growing big city challenges.
It was graduation day at the First Annual Cadet Academy. Cadet Recruits participated in a 15 week academy program that included physical training, emergency medical skills, fire manuevers, along with activities to foster leadership, public speaking and above all, firefighter ethics.
Proud Parents watched as the Fire Department Chief, Virgin Fernandez, introduced the first graduating class of the Miami Beach Cadet Academy. Khalil Esquire, Nicola Fabbri, Teiva Prado, Ruben Rayneri, Angel Alvarado, Brent Anzorandia, Paul Benedicto, Chase Brown, Joshua Soto, and Mladen Zalewski. Special honors went to Nicola Fabbri for Progress Award, Ruben Rayneri for Leadership Award, and Mladen Zalewski received the Athletic Award.
For some in the audience there were tears as the Chief spoke about the great tradition and legacy of the Miami Beach Fire Department and the fire service as a whole. These are the men and women that keep us safe and often enter our homes at our most vulnerable times. The Chief, soft spoken and humble, held the attention of all as he shared the importance of elevating the community to a safer place to live, work, and play. He then went on to share with the audience the reason they were there witnessing a most glorious event. The MB LIFE organization is a new non-profit that’s mission is to provide training, education, mentorship, necessary to prepare youths for a career in the fire service in accordance with the Florida Fire Chief Association Cadet Program, including but not limited to fire rescue, emergency medical services, ocean rescue, and fire prevention. They also want to support prevention programs for at risk youth.
Each graduate was issued an official FL Fire Chief Association Fire Rescue Cadet pin. Before leaving that day, the audience was asked to go to the parking lot where on display was a fire tower, a smoking generator, and a steel door. Graduates showed off their newly learned skills and the audience gasped as one cadet broke down a steel door, another pulled up several stories a very heavy fire hose and so much more. The families clapped and shouted and yelled like New Yorkers and probably embarrassed a few of the graduates but there was much to be had by all.
What’s next for these graduates? Some will come back to the academy and mentor new Jr Cadets, others may enter the counselor in training program through the City of Miami Beach Parks and Rec, a few are aspiring to enter the EMT Program Dual Enrollment with Miami Dade College.
Many people made this day possible. The countless firefighters in attendance, Adonic Garcia, President IAFF Local 1510, Cindi Casanova Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department, the Miami Beach Firefighter Benevolent, the Miami Beach Firefighter Charity and a special shout out to Gaby Avariano, Miami Beach Parks and Rec Supervisor and again Michael Sica, fire investigator and CEO of MBLIFE.
To learn more about the Cadet Academy or to donate and give back to our community, please visit www.mb-life.org It takes a village to raise a kid and our community needs your help.
