First Responders

The Tunnels to Towers Foundation — which will provide 76 mortgage-free homes to first responders and Gold Star families — donated the piece, which will be kept as an inspiration in a Pasco County fire station.

Those eligible will receive a check in the mail written for slightly more than $1,000 to make up for funds lost after taxation.

Florida Disaster Recovery mental health coordinator Sara Newhouse discusses the challenges people face after a disaster and how the Florida Division of Emergency Management is planning to aid in their recovery.

A year ago, the Champlain Towers South condominium collapsed in Surfside. Many first responders who searched for weeks to find victims are still struggling with what they saw, smelled and heard.

Surveys were completed by 180 individuals from a variety of helping professions, including medical, law enforcement, nonprofit, fire/EMS, education, mental health, and human services.

Eligible workers include law enforcement officers, firefighters, 911 operators, teachers, daycare workers and all manner of healthcare workers.

His budget proposal would increase minimum pay for entry-level officers at various agencies by 20% while salaries of veteran officers would go up 25%.

Sen. Elizabeth Fetterhoff reintroduced her bill, saying she opposes vaccine mandates for first responders because of the potential for mass resignations that threaten public safety.

Sen. Marco Rubio says he expects the bill to have broad bipartisan support.

It’s a stark contrast from the beginning of the vaccine rollout when first responders were prioritized for shots.

Because of a legally required 72-hour “cooling off” period, the budget is required to be finalized and printed Tuesday for the annual legislative session to end on time Friday.

Not surprisingly, first responders and health care workers have filed the most workers’ compensation indemnity claims related to COVID-19.