DUNEDIN — Firefighter-paramedic AJ Gonzales and firefighter-EMT Makayla Bowers received Dunedin Fire Rescue’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, for their lifesaving actions during a residential fire Oct. 14.
Fire Chief Michael Handoga told commissioners Nov. 6 that the two-member crew of Dunedin Rescue 60 was first to arrive at the one-story structure fire. They found heavy smoke and flames, and neighbors reported someone was trapped inside.
Operating from a medic unit without suppression capability and armed with only a 3-gallon can of water, they made the courageous decision to enter the burning structure without backup, Handoga said…