5th Generation Firefighter Earns Prestigious Honor

Redondo Beach resident John Dulmage has been named Manhattan Beach's Firefighter of the Year by his peers in the city Fire Association, according to a city staff report.

Dulmage, an 18-year veteran of MBFD  and 5th generation firefighter [his dad recently retired from the Los Angeles County Fire Department], was honored at the Manhattan Beach City Council meeting Tuesday and at the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club's meeting on June 25.

Before joining MBFD, Dulmage worked as a paramedic for Medtrans Ambulance. He served as an MBFD paid-call firefighter for 3-1/2 years and then competed for and was appointed to the position of firefighter/paramedic. All full-time MB firefighters are also paramedics.  

According to MBFD Fire Chief Robert Espinosa, "Through his drive and determination he then decided to compete for a promotion to fire engineer/paramedic and was appointed the position," which he currently holds.

In 2012, Dulmage was: a proctor of two mini fire academies for new MB firefighters; a panel assessor on the firefighter/paramedic entrance exam; a co-lead for the specifications used in the purchase of a new fire engine for MBFD, and assigned as an acting Fire Captain in March.

Dulmage and his wife Erin have two sons (2 and 4 years old) and was accompanied by his family at the City Council ceremony.