Thomas Mike Bloski

Background

About Thomas Mike Bloski

Captain Mike Bloski boasts an illustrious 32-year tenure in the fire service. In1997, he joined the esteemed Southern Manatee Fire Rescue district, where he has ascended through the ranks. Throughout his tenure, Captain Bloski has demonstrated exemplary leadership, overseeing numerous critical incidents, such as leading the state response as Hazardous Materials Team task force leader during Hurricane Ian in 2022 in South Florida. In addition, as an assigned member of the state’s Incident Support Team, he supports responses to natural disasters and major hazmat responses. As a founding member of the Manatee County Hazmat team and a pivotal figure within his district’s operations division, he fulfills administrative responsibilities while meticulously managing operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and training activities. Under his stewardship, the department's response team achieved Type I capability requirements within a remarkable two-year timeframe. This was accomplished by Capt. Bloski’s grant management writing, capturing $2.5 million from federal grants. In 2025, he was awarded Manatee County Fire Officer of the Year for his dedication to working with other county agencies. Education-wise, he is currently pursuing a master's degree at Columbia Southern University. Additionally, he has acquired a comprehensive array of certifications, including national certification as Chief Training Officer from the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPSE) program. In addition, he holds several national Pro-Boards certifications in Fire Officer IV, Fire Instructor Fire Inspector I, Emergency Medical Technician, Incident Safety Officer, and Hazardous Materials Technician. Lastly, Capt. Bloski holds registered United States trademarks and copyrights for works within the hazardous materials community.His affiliations extend to national membership in the National Fire Protection Agency, serving as a technical committee member since 2022, working on training standards and performance objectives. At the state level, he has worked with the Florida Fire Chief’s Association as vice chair of the Florida Association of Hazardous Materials Responders section, culminating in his recognition as Hazmat Responder of the Year in 2023. He has also vice-chaired the Local Emergency Planning Council for the Tampa Bay area since 2024. A distinguished educator, Captain Bloski has dedicated 22 years to instructing aspiring firefighters at Manatee Technical College, specializing in associate-level coursework, fireground operations, and hazardous materials response.