EMS Capt. Tom Dalman Is Proud Of His Unique, Dual-Job Career

When asked, many youngsters might say they want to grow up to be a firefighter or a police officer — 42-year old Tom Dalman is an example of a someone who grew up to be both.

The 18-year veteran of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue had served his entire career with the department. He is now a “floating” emergency medical services (EMS) captain on “C” shift, covering for other captains who are on leave, and he is also a member of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

Dalman said that he enjoys doing something he loves, particularly working in EMS, which has made possible his second career with the PBSO.

“Working through fire-rescue has afforded me the ability to be on the SWAT team with the sheriff’s office and provide tactical medicine to any squad member who may succumb to any injuries, so I’m a police officer as well,” he explained, expressing his pride in working in both capacities. “It’s a real honor.”

Starting off as a firefighter/EMT at the turn of the 21st century, Dalman worked his way up through the ranks to firefighter/paramedic then to a driver operator.

After that, he was promoted to captain, and later again promoted to EMS captain. He is currently studying for the battalion chief’s test.

“I am very proud of being able to say that I worked myself up through the ranks,” Dalman explained. “I worked in all the positions.”

Dalman said that it’s a great sense of pride when you study hard and get promoted and know all the aspects of a job description, and then move on to the next position and develop proficiency and expertise in that new position.

“It makes you more well-rounded as an employee for the fire-rescue department, and that’s what Wellington residents deserve,” he said.

In his current position, Dalman’s job is to be present at the scene of critical incidents in a supervisory role and to shepherd the response to the situation as requirements dictate.

“I supervise and oversee any critical incident — whether it be a major medical call and that could include cardiac arrest, any type of major trauma-related incident such as a shooting, stabbing or a car accident — where an advanced level of supervision is required,” explained Dalman, who went on to say that he is authorized to carry and administer certain advanced medications that the regular fire-rescue trucks don’t carry.

In such difficult situations, things often do not end happily. However, the expertise of Dalman and his team can mean the difference between life and death. When things go well, the job is very satisfying, he said.

“When you’re dealing with a critical patient, you use critical thinking skills [to help], and then that patient has a positive outcome — that’s always the most satisfying,” Dalman said. “When the patient has walked out of the hospital and has been reunited with their loved ones.”

Dalman, a Grand Rapids, Mich., native, has been posted in Wellington at PBCFR Station 25 on Wellington Trace for the past 11 years. He is married, and he and his wife have three children: Abigail, age 11; Thomas, age 10; and Michael, who is 10 months old.

Dalman said that he likes the hometown feeling of Wellington, and he appreciates living and working in the same community.

“It’s a diverse community. I like the churches and that everything we need is right here — the mall’s right across the street. It’s a great place to raise our family,” he said. “I feel very blessed and fortunate to raise our kids here in Wellington.”

Active in Christ Fellowship Church, Dalman works on “feed the homeless” campaigns. “We help providing meals in our community and for less fortunate countries, so the homeless here in our area as well as overseas can benefit,” Dalman explained.

Dalman and his sister and brother and family provide a college scholarship fund through a family organization called Dalaro, an acronym of his and his brother-in-law’s last names.

The scholarship benefits someone who is less fortunate and would not be able to otherwise afford a college education. “It provides the means for a less fortunate person to attend college,” said Dalman, a graduate of Palm Beach State College.

When it comes to hobbies and outside activities, Dalman said that raising his family is a hobby and plenty of activity in and of itself, but that he enjoys physical activities involving his family. When not on the job, Dalman likes just enjoying time off with his family and raising his young children.

Wellington Community Foundation Honors In Ken And Arle Adams Naming New Scholarship

Wellington The Magazine’s “Salute To Our Heroes” issue can feature many amazing people, yet most will agree that it is hard to think of Wellington without thinking of our pioneers, such as Ken and Arle Adams.

The Wellington Community Foundation is going to ensure that their legacy lives on by naming the Wellington Community Foundation’s first scholarship program the “Ken and Arle Adams Scholarship” in honor of all they have contributed to the village.

Ken proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was recently honored at the Village of Wellington’s Memorial Day ceremony, held in conjunction with the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Post 390 on Monday, May 28. Ken could be seen in his Air Force uniform where he proudly stood during the solemn ceremony.

Ken and Arle Adams made Wellington their home in 1978, back when the fledgling community was just getting started. They introduced their hobbies of horses and fox hounds, and eventually started a fox hunt in the Binks Forest area, named in honor of Ken’s good friend A.W. “Bink” Glisson, another key Wellington pioneer responsible for New York accounting magnate C. Oliver Wellington’s decision to buy the land in the 1950s. Ken is well known for helping to name many of the streets here in Wellington, including coming up with the “Binks Forest” nickname for the area that was once their fox hunting grounds.

Glisson spearheaded the creation of the Acme Improvement District, Wellington’s pre-incorporation government, and then managed the land for the Wellington family for decades. It was a conversation with Glisson that would change the trajectory of Ken’s life, from a retirement of fox hunting to a career in politics. This eventually landed him with a seat on the Palm Beach County Commission during the boom years of the 1980s. Ken later became a key advocate for Wellington’s incorporation.

With one eye on the budget and the other eye on the future, Ken wanted to make sure that Wellington was in control of its own destiny. In 1995, with a unanimous vote of the Florida Legislature, Wellington’s incorporation bill passed and was later approved by a voter referendum. Ken is often quoted as saying that this was one of his proudest moments, along with everyone else who participated in making it happen.

Not only was Ken involved in writing Wellington’s original charter, in 2014, he came out of retirement to help lead Wellington’s efforts to update the document. Protections for Wellington’s unique Equestrian Preserve Area were always near and dear to his heart.

Ken also had the vision to build a unique business center, today known as the Lake Wellington Professional Centre, which he later sold to the Village of Wellington for $5 million, donating back to the village $1 million of that for future projects.

Ken’s service to community far outreached all business, political or developer thresholds in his long and successful career. Ken truly believes that Wellington has accomplished great things because of the great people and great leaders who care deeply and continue to do things for their children and their children’s children.

When the Wellington Community Foundation became a privately functioning nonprofit organization benefiting the seniors, children and veterans of Wellington, the board of directors immediately thought to invite Ken to take a seat on the board, and without hesitation, Ken jumped right in. Although in recent months, Ken has moved to a board member emeritus status, it is with great honor that the foundation has developed a scholarship in both his name and the name of his beloved late wife.

The Ken and Arle Adams Scholarship will look to serve those in need who can benefit by a hand up in creating tomorrow’s leaders, to which Ken and Arle would be very proud.

In 2019, the foundation will be scouting for individuals that fit the criteria, accepting applications and awarding the first of many future scholarships in their honor.

For more information on how to become involved or make a donation to the Ken and Arle Adams Scholarship program, call (561) 333-9843 or visit www.wellingtoncommunity

foundation.org.  

Wellington Rotary To Host Sept. 8 Race To Benefit First Responders Race For The Red And Blue RACE FOR THE RED AND BLUE

Each September, our country is reminded of the devastation that changed our world forever on 9/11. As a way of remembering all the first responders of 9/11, as well as honor those who protect us daily here in Palm Beach County, the Rotary Club of Wellington is calling for runners and walkers of all ages to take part in the inaugural “Race for the Red and Blue First Responders 5K” on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 a.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater.

“These first responders go out every day, never knowing if they’ll come home or not, or what they’ll be facing,” Rotarian and race organizer Larry Kemp said. “On 9/11, firefighters went running toward the flames and smoke while everyone was running away. So, it’s an honor for us to do this.”

The race, previously known as the Jeff Annas Memorial 5K, in honor of a fallen Palm Beach County paramedic, attracted as many as 1,000 runners.

“The Jeff Annas race was one of the biggest 5K races in South Florida. We want to take it back to that and make it even bigger,” Kemp said. “I’m not sure we’ll do that this year, because the runners don’t know us yet, but we’re hopeful.”

The Rotary Club of Wellington has been getting the word out across Palm Beach County.

“We’re expecting a crowd of 500 to 700 people for our first year,” said Dr. Jonathan Chung, another Rotarian who is joining Kemp as a race organizer. “We’re doing everything in our power to meet their standards.”

There will be age group awards from over 18 to 70 and up.

“We’ll have some really high-quality finishers’ medals,” Chung said. “No matter where you finish the race, you’re going to get a really nice medal. Our top finishers for the top three racers are going to have a pretty sizable trophy to take home with them.”

There’s also a division for 18 and under, so kids are able to race if they want to. Pre-registration is ongoing through Friday, Sept. 7. It’s $40 for adults and $30 for participants under 18. Registration will be accepted on race day, but the price will go up $5.

For those who have children, but no sitter — no problem. There will be the “kids corral,” which opens at 6:30 a.m. inside the Wellington Community Center to provide childcare. There will be games, movies and kid-friendly food. No registration is required.

“They can drop off the kids, go run the race and be back, and the kids will be in good hands.” Chung said.

The race route starts at the Wellington Amphitheater, heads out to South Shore Blvd., will take a path down South Shore and loop back around toward the amphitheater again.

“It’s a fast course, because it’s going to be pretty much on all open road,” Chung said. “It’s going to shut down South Shore for the race.”

The event will be a professionally timed race. “It’s certified as a legitimate 5K course, and runners can mark their time with a great deal of accuracy, as we’re using the AccuChip company as our partner,” Chung said.

There will be a presence from both the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, with PBSO motorcycles leading the way, as well as fire trucks and ambulances. Some first responders even run in their gear, as many do across the nation in honor of 9/11.

The Rotary Club of Wellington secured a number of sponsors and hopes to raise as much as $40,000 to support local first responders in the PBSO and PBCFR, as well as several Wellington Rotary charities.

“I’ve been a first responder in Palm Beach County for 30 years, and I’m always humbled and blessed to serve the citizens of the Palm Beach County,” PBCFR Division Chief Richard Ellis said. “It always makes me feel good personally when other organizations, agencies or individuals reach out and give us support. It means a lot.”

The agency plans to use the money it gets toward its Fire-Rescue Cadet Program.

“It’s a way for younger kids to really get engaged in the fire department at a young age from eighth grade all the way up to senior in high school,” Ellis explained. “They get exposed, ride on the fire trucks and get to learn some of our procedures. So, the money will be used to help purchase them gear and all the things they may need.”

PBSO Chief Deputy Michael Gauger said his agency is extremely appreciative of all the work that the Wellington Rotary does for the community, including the PBSO.

“We have a lot of support in the community. People continuously go out of their way to help law enforcement and fire-rescue,” Gauger said. “Money raised will go to the Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation, which helps officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.”

Helping to raise that money are many sponsors, including: Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the Winter Equestrian Festival/Bellissimo Family, Palms West Hospital, the South Florida Fair, the original Wellington Mall, the Palm Beach Kennel Club, Medivalue, MedExpress, Oil Change Services, Florida Public Utilities, Premier Family Health, Caregiver Services, ESPN 106.3 FM, Florida Crystals, Retreat of the Palm Beaches, Grand Champions Polo Club/Ganzi Family, Jess Santamaria, the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, and Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith.

Kemp began securing sponsorships in April, and he is still working to reach the fundraising goal for the two agencies. “We’re lucky we have them out there doing what they do for us,” he said.

Chung added that it is very important to recognize local first responders. “The people doing this job — they aren’t doing it for praise,” he said. “They’re doing it because it’s something they believe in and they hold with high value. Even if they don’t want the praise… we’re going to give it to them anyway.”

For race and sponsorship information, visit www.wellington5k.com.

Student Artists Show How To Make
Every Drop Count

South Florida is surrounded by water. And with summer, comes the rainy season. But while it’s one of the wettest areas of the country, with more than 50 inches of rainfall a year, there’s always the danger of drought conditions.

Conserving our water supply year-round is key, and elementary and middle school students in Wellington and across the state are being recognized for turning their water conservation ideas into award-winning works of art through the Drop Savers poster contest.

“This is an educational component of our water conservation effort,” Wellington Utilities Director Shannon LaRocque explained.

The Drop Savers poster contest is an effort by the Florida Statewide American Waterworks Association. Students are encouraged to create posters depicting water conservation and awareness.

A panel of judges base the winners on message, creativity and originality. First-place winners move up to the state level of the competition. In all, 195 students from four local schools participated this spring. Eight of the winners were from Panther Run Elementary School and Wellington Landings Middle School. The Wellington Village Council recognized them in March, while the posters helped promote April as Water Conservation Month.

“It’s starting that education at a young age, so it becomes habitual through life,” LaRocque said.

Last year was the first time that Wellington participated in the contest. Then a third-grader, Grace Bostwick from Panther Run won at the state level. Her artwork is now part of a special calendar.

This year, five students from Panther Run took top honors at the local level.

At the elementary level, fourth-grader Gabriella Pedicino took first place in Division 3, which is comprised of fourth-grades and fifth-graders. Paige Albert, a fifth-grader, took second. Returning first-place contest winner Lauren Allen, a fifth-grader, took third this time.

In Division 2, which encompasses students in second and third grades, Maibelin Fernandez, a second-grader at Panther Run, took second place, while Wilmide Derastel, a third-grader, won first place in her division.

“I drew a water drop that’s sad,” Derastel explained. “The letters are dry with no water, like land. I think water makes the world a better place to live in, because we use water for many things. If you waste less water, it’ll make the world a better place.”

That’s a lesson that’s close to the heart of her mother, Fabiola Gene. Gene is from Haiti, where she said clean drinking water is hard to come by.

“You see kids drinking dirty water. It’s sad. I remind my daughter not to waste water,” Gene said.

Panther Run has been recognized as a “Green School of Quality” for two years in a row for its conservation efforts. Principal Edilia De La Vega said that the school puts a big focus on teaching students about conservation and taking care of the environment. It also has Earth Club lead by teacher Tracy LaBrosse, the school’s “green ambassador.”

“One of the things we added this year, because of an abundance of water bottles coming on campus, is refillable water stations into the water fountains,” De La Vega said. “That was a wonderful resource, as well as to teach the kids the importance of refilling their water bottles, and not just using and getting rid of plastic ones.”

The school has two water stations. One in the cafeteria and one outside. “When they go out to PE, they always have their water, so they can refill it right there, and it’s filtered,” she said.

Wellington Landings Middle School is also working hard to teach the importance of conservation with separate recycling bins throughout the campus.

“I think the number-one thing this generation needs to focus on is conservation of water, our environment and making sure that we’re not being wasteful,” Principal Blake Bennett said. “We do a recycling program with bins and community-based instruction for students in our self-contained special education program. Students in the program are in charge of recycling and picking up recycling bins.”

Blake said that she is very proud of her school’s three students who placed in the Drop Savers contest for Division 4, which is comprised of sixth-graders through eighth-graders, including Deseray Johnson, an eighth-grader who placed first. Another eighth-grader, Lilly Paulitz, came in second place, while sixth grader Ciana Han placed third.

“I drew ways to save water inside droplets. Like short showers and planting plants that don’t require a lot of water,” Han said. “I pay more attention now, and I’m more aware of our water and not wasting it.”

All eight local winners attribute their art teachers for inspiring them. Art teacher Lyda Barrera, who just retired from Panther Run, and Ashlan Sheesley from Wellington Landings, both guided the students on their art posters for this contest, where the primary goal was making water conservation a way of life.