State Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, who sponsored the resolution; Florida CFO and State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis; Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant; and several other dignitaries were in attendance. Officials spoke on the need to support first responders and to remove the stigma from seeking help when signs of mental heath issues arise.
A burden that is carried inside
Perry said emergency services personnel respond to what citizens only read about in the newspapers.”
He said emergency personnel have tried to deal with stress privately and carry it inside.”
The press conference was held at the centerpiece Firefighters Memorial at the training facility, which is located on Northwest Gainesville Road north of Ocala.
UMATILLA A pedestrian was killed Friday night when he was struck by an SUV on County Road 42 in southeast Marion County. The crash happened less than 5 miles from the Marion-Lake County line.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an older model Chevy Blazer driven by a 46-year-old Umatilla man was westbound on CR 42. It s unknown if the pedestrian was in the road or the grassy median when he was struck near Southeast 253rd Court.
James Lucas, spokesman for Marion County Fire Rescue, his agency received the call at 6:03 p.m., arrived eight minutes later, and pronounced the victim deceased at 6:14 p.m.