RINCON – The City of Rincon and the Rincon Fire Department recently dedicated one of their firetrucks to a longtime firefighter. 

Gary Kocher a 35-year employee, is a certified firefighter with Suppression for the Rincon Fire Department, was honored during a ceremony. 

Kocher graduated from Dixie Hollows High school in St. Petersburg, Fla., and began his career in 1968 as one of the first paid firefighters in the Lealman Fire Department in St. Petersburg.

Kocher moved to Rincon in 1986 and started volunteering with the Rincon Volunteer Fire Department in July 1987. He continued his paid career in the Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department in 1988. 

Kocher has earned multiple awards for service, such as Firefighter of the Year. He has held numerous ranks in the Rincon Fire Department and continues to serve the community in the fire service at the Rincon Fire Department. 

Rincon Engine 1 was dedicated to Kocher for his 35 years of service to the community and leadership ability to the new firefighters in Rincon.