Equipment maintenance specialist Tom Sova of Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services was selected as the Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year by the Florida Association of EVTs. The award was announced at Fire Rescue East in Jacksonville.

Sova is a 29-year veteran of the department and currently is supervisor of the logistics and support division. He supervises two other technicians and is responsible for maintaining and repairing a fleet of 32 emergency vehicles and a fire boat. In addition to his shop duties, he also is a member of the 2007 Ladder Truck Specifications Committee.

Sova is an ASE-certified automobile technician and master medium/heavy-truck technician and EVT-certified master fire apparatus technician, master ambulance technician, and Level-1 supervisor, and has received a World Class Technician designation by the Automotive Service Industry Association.

The recommendation for his award reads in part, “Tom Sova is an essential member of Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services. His knowledge, compassion and understanding of fire rescue services make him a unique EVT. His goal is to have all vehicles and equipment operational at all times because he knows that someone’s life may depend on their readiness. This is his motivation for outstanding performance every day and the primary reason he is deserving of such recognition.”