Retiring Fire Chief Andy Price enters the change of command ceremony April 30 flanked by West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters at WMFR Station 1, 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Photos: Kristin Swain
Battalion Chief Rich Losek stands at attention with other members of C shift during the personnel inspection, Chief Andy Price’s opportunity to greet each WMFR firefighter one last time as chief at the April 30 change of command ceremony.
Tom Sousa thanks his wife, Annette, and children for their continued support during his first official remarks as WMFR fire chief April 30 at the change of command ceremony held at Station 1.
Full-time and reserve WMFR firefighters gather with retiring Chief Andy Price and incoming Chief Tom Sousa to celebrate at Station 1 both the new command and Price’s retirement.
Chief Andy Price passes the fireman’s pike to Chief Tom Sousa after passing the colors, symbolically passing his command of WMFR to Sousa April 30.
WMFR Commission Chair David Bishop passes the chief’s helmet to Tom Sousa after Sousa recites the fire chief’s oath.
During the retirement ceremony, WMFR color guard members fold an American flag that has flown over all four WMFR fire stations and the nation’s capital to present to Chief Andy Price.