Dedication, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—this is what it means to serve at Plant City Fire Rescue.
Plant City Fire Rescue has named Enrique Freire Jr. its Firefighter of the Year, recognizing his service as a full-time firefighter, paramedic on the department’s SWAT team, and member of the Rapid Intervention Team.
“For my family and the fire department as a whole, I would like to thank them for taking me in and providing me with guidance and teaching. Without each and every one of them, I would not have the honor of being Firefighter of the Year,” said Freire.
Freire was hired by the department when he was 23 and plans to continue his work in Plant City.
He is a full-time firefighter and joined the SWAT team as a paramedic three months ago. He is one of four firefighters working with the SWAT team.
“It wasn’t everything I did that won me this award. It was all the tools they provided me with that got me here,” Freire said.
Freire said he never expected to be a firefighter. Before attending the fire academy, he worked odd jobs and searched for a career that offered fulfillment, activity, and a strong sense of teamwork. He said it was important for him to have a career he would enjoy and feel excited about.
“Fire service is really about the people. It’s not about the job; it’s about the people that make the job. We are like best friends here. You come to work to be a part of a team. You eat, sleep, and see traumatic things together that form a bond you can’t replicate in other settings,” he said.
When Freire was hired, he was one of the youngest firefighters in the department. Despite his age, he said his coworkers never treated him differently and considers them his best friends.
Freire said he is very appreciative of his department. Growing up in Tampa, he never expected Plant City to become his second home. He said he plans to move closer to the department and hopes to retire as a firefighter in the city.
“I found my passion here and in this department. I didn’t expect it. I had never been here, and it wasn’t long after being a part of the department how much I grew to love it and how much I want to stay here,” he said.
He is the first in his family to work in the fire service. He said his family has been supportive and encouraging.
“They are very intrigued by it. They are always asking questions and are very encouraging because they know I spend most of my time there and know I love my job and department,” he said.
With how driven Freire is, he has missed some family functions that are important to him. However, he wants to serve his community and is grateful that his family understands and encourages him to keep working.
During 2024, Freire faced one of the most difficult times as a firefighter. During the year he was in paramedic school, which is a requirement once hired for the department, he had to learn how to balance his schedule. He said he had to work for 24 hours, then the next day go on a ride-along or go to the hospital’s clinic. Then, after doing those tasks, you go to school the following day. Freire said he found the curriculum to be challenging, and having something going on every day was an adjustment.
Despite the challenging year, he is grateful for all he learned because it paid off in the end.
“My favorite call is my very first structure fire. The whole house was on fire, and you finally get to do the firefighter things you’ve been training for. It’s exhilarating, and the adrenaline lasts for a week,” said Freire. “Having Firefighter of the Year is probably my proudest and happiest moment having this job.”
Being able to take what he has learned and use it to help people is why he is driven to push through the challenges he faces and continue advancing.
Freire’s goal is to become captain later in his career, but for right now, he is working on classes needed to promote to Driver/Engineer.
