31-Year Veteran Named City Firefighter of the Year

Animal rights, environmental causes and river rafting are just a few of Firefighter of the Year Tim Viselli's interests when he's not investigating a fire.

Surrounded by co-workers and those attending last Tuesday's City Council meeting, firefighter Viselli, presently a fire investigator, was officially awarded the honor, which is decided by his department peers and approved by management.

“One of the fun things that you get to do as a battalion chief sometimes is honoring our employees," said Ken Shuck, the department's recent interim fire chief, "and it’s even more fun that you get to do it for a good friend."

Viselli, a fire service veteran of 31 years and a member of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department since 1982, has hazardous material training, is trained as a fire engine driver, and has responded to more than 10,000 calls during his career, Shuck said.

Viselli’s love for animals resulted in several city firefighters being trained in animal CPR and his penchant for physical fitness has contributed greatly to the department’s workout program. 

Said Shuck of Viselli during the presentation, “He’s a devout vegetarian actively involved in animal rights and environmental causes for the past 25 years and he also had a unique opportunity to work as a river rafting guide on the Kern River.

"Due to his background in psychology, he'd like to see fire service expand its training in understanding dealing with patients suffering from mental illness,” Shuck noted.

When he took the microphone, Viselli thanked his wife of 15 years for being there for him and pointed to the crowd where many of his fire department co-workers were standing.

“One of those things that is near and dear to me, is that any of those guys would lay their lives on the line for anybody in this community to help you all, and to me that’s not only amazing, that’s beyond measure,” he said.

Viselli was also honored Monday morning at a Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach meeting.