David Sechrist Honored as Florida’s Forestry Firefighter of the Year

Tallahassee, Fla.– Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried recognized Florida Forest Service (FFS) Senior Forest Ranger David Sechrist as the 2020 Forestry Firefighter of the Year. The annual Florida Fire Service Awards are presented by Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis. Each year, the Florida Cabinet formally recognizes award recipients in the firefighting community for their outstanding accomplishments in Florida’s fire service industry. 

“Today, we gathered to honor all firefighters – individuals who chose this career knowing the inherent dangers of the profession and the possibility that one day they may have to give their own life so others may live,” said Commissioner Fried. “David’s service to his fellow firefighters through teaching, mentoring, training, and helping his colleagues recover from Hurricane Michael are exemplary, as are his professionalism in protecting not only life and property in Florida, but in the ongoing western wildfires, as well. I am grateful for Forest Ranger Sechrist’s outstanding integrity and service, and we are honored to recognize him as the 2020 Forestry Firefighter of the Year.”

“Florida’s wildland firefighters serve to protect our communities and natural resources both at home and across the country. they work in some of the most challenging conditions and risk their own personal safety,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “David Sechrist has always demonstrated strong leadership, and his willingness to support his fellow firefighters goes above and beyond the call of duty. I commend David on this well-deserved honor and thank him for his selfless commitment to serve.”

David Sechrist began his career with the Florida Forest Service in 2010, promoting to Senior Forest Ranger in the Jacksonville Forestry District in 2018. He has built his career on a foundation of integrity, professionalism and commitment to the mission, and this was evident during the 2020 fire season. 

Sechrist was among the nation’s first Incident Management Team to respond to a wildfire during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sechrist and his team were instrumental in re-evaluating fire line safety procedures to include CDC guidelines and developing daily protocols to ensure effective implementation. This commitment to a critical new component of the mission resulted in a successful first deployment with no positive COVID-19 test results.

While Sechrist’s dedication to protect residents and communities is at the forefront, he has a passion for helping fellow firefighters recover and heal from tragic, stressful and life-altering events. Sechrist helped build the Florida Forest Service’s first Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) and frequently takes a lead role to ensure FFS personnel and partner agencies, such as the Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement, have a safe and supportive environment. One of his most recent assignments includes having a key role on the Blue Ribbon Staff Ride, the agency’s national training exercise that studies the tragic deaths of two FFS wildland firefighters in 2011. 

David Sechrist is a nationally certified Division Supervisor, serving on the FFS State Blue Incident Management Team. Additionally, Sechrist is actively involved in training and mentoring firefighters within his home district, serving as an instructor with the Southern Area Engine Academy. 

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.

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