By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Plant City Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Vince Kiffner remained humble when he was named Firefighter of the Year by Interim Fire Chief David Burnett.
But the Plant City fire station agrees Kiffner deserves the award.
“He’s one of those (who is) a problem-solver and one that we can really rely on,” Burnett said. “He’s an individual who is very passionate about what he does and has the respect of his peers.”
Kiffner was nominated by his peers for the award based on his job performance and leadership characteristics. Kiffner said he was surprised by the recognition.
“At first I thought, ‘Is this for real?’ because we do a lot of jokes on each other,” Kiffner said.
Plant City locals have probably seen the Kiffner riding around town in one of the fire department’s red SUVs as a first responder. But Kiffner didn’t always want to be a firefighter. His interest in firefighting was first sparked as a high-schooler at Plant City High School. He volunteered at the Cork/Knight Fire Department in the 1980s.
After graduating, Kiffner joined the U.S. Army and served for four years. He was involved with telecommunications, hoping to work for a phone company after his service. But memories of his volunteer firefighting days hadn’t left him.
“Firefighting is what I really wanted to do,” Kiffner said.
Kiffner went to fire school at Hillsborough Community College, where he climbed tall ladders, navigated through smoke mazes and learned everything he needed to know about firefighting. Kiffner said his prior military training helped him succeed.
In June 1988, Kiffner began working for the Plant City Fire Department and has remained on staff ever since.
“It’s always something different every day,” Kiffner said, citing his first reason why he loves being a firefighter. “You can be outside. It’s like a second family, too, because you’re with them every third day.”
Kiffner has responded to thousands of calls throughout his career. One he specifically remembers. Kiffner was able to help resuscitate a choking baby who had gone into cardiac arrest.
“That’s the job and that’s what we do,” Kiffner said. “I don’t feel special for helping, because that’s just what we get paid to do. If I were off the clock and saved someone’s life, then it might be something special, but it’s my job.”
Between calls, Kiffner trains at the fire station, works out, makes dinner and plays basketball with the other firefighters.
Kiffner is married to Heather Kiffner and has two daughters, Katy and Kristyn, and two grandchildren, Justin and Lila.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.