Lieutenant Philip Hoffman and Firefighter Dale Coulter from Escambia County Fire Rescue pulled a young boy from dangerous surf conditions back in April. Just another day at the office for these guys, right?
Except it wasn’t.
Less than 24 hours later, they walked into Superheroes Day at Studer Family Children’s Hospital and reunited with the kid and his family. That moment? It hit different.
So much so that PenAir Credit Union decided to create an entirely new award because of it. On July 20, at Fire Station 14, Hoffman and Coulter became the first-ever recipients of the PenAir CAPE Award—a recognition that celebrates people who embody Courage, Authenticity, Purpose, and Empathy.
When One Rescue Inspires Something Bigger
“The PenAir CAPE Award was created to recognize ordinary people who do extraordinary things for others,” explained Jay Wells, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for PenAir Credit Union. “Lieutenant Hoffman and Firefighter Coulter are a powerful example of the impact one act of service can have on a family and a community.”
And they’re not stopping with just one ceremony. PenAir teamed up with Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation to make this an annual thing—a way to spotlight the people who make you believe in humanity again when the world feels heavy.
“Our partnership with PenAir is built on a shared commitment to serving others and strengthening our community,” said Adrienne Maygarden, President of Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation. “Through initiatives like Superheroes Day and now the PenAir CAPE Award, we’re able to shine a light on the individuals whose compassion, courage, and service make a lasting difference in the lives of those around them.”
The Kind of Heroes Who Don’t Want the Spotlight
If you’ve ever met a firefighter, you know they’re not exactly comfortable being the center of attention. Battalion Chief Steve Boothe of Escambia County Fire Rescue put it perfectly: “Our firefighters don’t do this work for recognition. They answer the call because people need help. That’s what makes this honor so meaningful.”
Lieutenant Hoffman echoed that sentiment. “We don’t do this job expecting recognition,” he said. “We’re simply grateful we were able to be there when that family needed help. To see that little boy doing well and to be honored in this way is incredibly humbling.”
Translation: These guys are the real deal. They showed up, did what needed doing, and the fact that the kid is okay? That’s the reward that actually matters to them.
What CAPE Really Means
The acronym isn’t just clever branding—it’s the whole point. Courage to act when seconds count. Authenticity in service without expecting anything back. Purpose that drives you to help others. Empathy to see someone struggling and refuse to look away. Hoffman and Coulter checked every single box that day in April, and they’ll keep checking them every shift they work.
Going forward, the PenAir CAPE Award will recognize one person or team annually who demonstrates these qualities and makes their community stronger because of it. It’s a partnership between PenAir Credit Union and Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation that puts a spotlight on the helpers—the ones who run toward trouble while everyone else is running away.
Because at the end of the day, that little boy gets to grow up. His family gets to take him home. And two firefighters get to know they were in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
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