Hillsborough County Fire RescueLieutenant Robert Jones

Paramedic of the Year

On December 26, 2014, Lieutenant Jones responded to a traffic accident where the vehicle was overturned and submerged in a retention pond. The driver was still in the car and underwater for an unknown amount of time. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transfer to Lieutenant Jones’ care. He was transported and resuscitated enroute to the hospital. Robert Jones has spent 18 of his 25 years with Hillsborough County Fire Rescueas a Rescue Officer. He is instrumental in training and mentoring junior paramedics. His dedication and professionalism on and off an incident sets a great example for them to follow. Stressful situations seem to be more manageable under his command, his confidence and sinceriTampa Police Department provides a great learning experience for his junior Paramedics.

Lieutenant Jones is a true local, born at Bayfront Medical Center. He worked for Hillsborough CounTampa Police Department Basic Life Support from 1986 to 1987, and came back to Hillsborough CounTampa Police Department EMS as a paramedic in 1990. He was promoted to a Lieutenant in 1999. He and his wife, Merlita, have been married for 33 years with two daughters, and are very active in their church. One of his daughters, Stephanie, works for Hillsborough County Fire RescueEmergency Dispatch and was awarded Telecommunicator of the Year 2015.