RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - In its inaugural presentation of an award, the Rancho Murieta Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars honored Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District firefighter/paramedic Dmitriy Bloshenko as Firefighter of the Year for Rancho Murieta and Sloughhouse during a Sept. 22 ceremony at Station 59.

Recognized for his dedication, skill and service to the community, Bloshenko recently transferred with his crew to Station 58 in Sloughhouse after three years at the Rancho Murieta station.

Metro Fire members and the local VFW post gathered to celebrate the close partnership between first responders and veterans, joined by 17 members of Bloshenko’s family, including his wife, Inna.

Metro Fire Captain Mike Schanzenbach and VFW Senior Vice Commander Bill McCarver designed the one-of-a-kind plaque, which features a description of the award, the name of the first recipient, the VFW logo and a firefighter’s helmet with flames in the front merging into an American flag in the back.

Schanzenbach, Bloshenko’s supervisor, opened the ceremony. He said when McCarver approached him about a year ago with the idea for a firefighter award, he was humbled, thinking the veterans should be the ones receiving recognition.

“You guys are our heroes, serving our country, and what you have done,” he told the VFW attendees. “But we are appreciative, and we love the community involvement.”

After introducing himself and other post members, McCarver explained that the VFW’s mission is to support and help veterans. He added that the organization also strives to serve the local community, including support for first responders.

“Sac Metro Fire Stations 58 and 59 are more than fire stations to us,” he said. “These heroic firefighters who serve Rancho Murieta and Sloughhouse are also members of our family.” 

The VFW asked officers to submit a recommendation from each shift at the two stations, and a selection committee chose the recipient. 

“If I am ever in need of a paramedic, which I probably will be, this is the firefighter I would want to respond,” McCarver said. “His skills are outstanding, and his passion for his fellow man can never be questioned.”

Bloshenko, caught by surprise, expressed gratitude and humility. 

“I honestly have no idea this is happening,” he said. “This community is something special. I’ve worked at different stations, and this one feels like it’s a very tight-knit community: You don’t get that at many other stations. I don’t deserve this, and I have no idea why. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

VFW Post Commander Mick Mineni told Bloshenko the post would submit his packet for a higher-level award. 

“Not only will you get our first annual award at the local level, but there is a state-level and national-level award,” he said. “We want to recognize you beyond this. What you do matters, and so we appreciate you.”

Metro Fire Public Information Officer Captain Mark Nunez offered his congratulations and appreciation: “I’m not surprised by this. I’ve had the opportunity to work with him off and on over my career, and he is exemplary at his profession,” Nunez said. “We at Metro Fire are very proud of your accomplishments, your time here and what you’ve done. This right here exemplifies who you are as a member of Metro Fire.”

VFW member Dan Pennington also praised Station 59. 

“You pay much attention to what’s going on around. It’s no accident this place is as squared away as it looks today,” he said.

As friends, family and colleagues gathered for photographs with fire trucks, VFW members and Metro Fire crews, a shared sense of pride reflected the community’s commitment to supporting veterans and first responders alike.

The River Valley Times interviewed Bloshenko after the ceremony.

After joining Metro Fire in 2017, he worked at six different fire stations across the metropolitan area before successfully bidding for Station 59 in Rancho Murieta in 2022. In the most recent round of station bids, however, Bloshenko and his crew were outbid for Station 59 but had enough seniority to secure Station 58 in Sloughhouse.

Bloshenko said the local station differs from others where he has worked because of the sense of community. 

“Everybody is close to each other, and they take care of each other,” he said. “They also take care of the first responders.”

Firefighters are regularly invited to big community events, and children stop by the station. People are very friendly. 

“Whenever they have leftover refreshments from their events, they bring it over to us,” he added.

Bloshenko was born in Moldova, and his family moved to the Sacramento area when he was 10.

He graduated from Florin High School. After taking classes at Cosumnes River College, he enrolled in the California Regional Fire Academy, which was then affiliated with American River College. He earned certificates as a firefighter, emergency medical technician and paramedic.

Bloshenko said he enjoys being a firefighter because it allows him to make a difference. 

“You have to act so quickly to be on top of it so the fire doesn’t get a lot bigger,” he said.

He likes being a paramedic just as much. 

“You get to help people when they are having their worst day,” he said.

Bloshenko has been married to his wife, Inna, for three years. They don’t have children “yet,” he said with a smile.