The state’s Chief Financial Officer and Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis presented $58,695 in pandemic protection funding to eight panhandle fire departments
DAVENPORT Polk County Fire Rescue has received more than $9,000 to purchase supplies and equipment designed to help reduce the rate of cancer among firefighters.
Jimmy Patronis, Florida s chief financial officer and state fire marshal, visited Polk County Fire Station 38 in Davenport on Thursday to announce the first round of grant recipients under the state s Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Program. The fund was created in June 2020.
Polk Fire Chief Robert Weech accepted a check for $9,135 with Minneola and New Port Richie fire departments receiving about $11,250 and $10,245, respectively. We have to find ways, innovative ways to fight cancer. It s the stuff we can t see that s embedded in our environment that causes it, Weech said. We know what the risks are with burning buildings, we know what the risks are with the pandemic, this is a hidden risk we have to take seriously.