International Firefighters Day resolution

28:08Okay, Madam Clerk, will you read the second resolution?

28:12Well I I think that there's a couple people here for this. Um International Firefighters Day. Day.

28:20a couple out there.

28:25Okay.

28:26Come on. All of you can slip up behind if you'd like to. It's up to y'all.

28:33We can bring more up.

28:49I'll go ahead and read the resolution, resolution number 24-109. A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring May 4th, 2024 as International Firefighters Day in Pasco County. Whereas in recognition of our firefighters, International Firefighters Day honors the sacrifices made by past and present firefighters to ensure their community is as safe as possible. ANRAZ International Firefighter Day began in 1999

29:19when Lieutenant J.J. Edmondson set out to honor five firefighters from the Geelong West Fire Brigade of Australia who lost their lives while fighting a fire on December 2, 1998. and is observed on May fourth because that is the feast day for Saint Florian, who is considered the patron saint of firefighters. ANRAS, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, recognizes the week of May fourth through the fifth twenty twenty four as the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial

29:49Weekend and created Light the Night for Fallen Fire Firefighters. Which encourages fire departments, families, and businesses to turn their porch lights red to honor and remember those firefighters who have lost their lives in the line duty. And RES International Firefighters Day aims to raise public awareness about the invaluable role that firefighters play play in in protecting protecting lives and property, and to serve as a solemn reminder of the dangers increased health risk, the sacrifices they make, and the toll their profession takes

30:20on their physical and mental well-being. And whereas International Firefighters Day is a worldwide day to recognize, express appreciation, and salute the men and women of the fire service for their incredible dedication to public service, their bravery in keeping us safe and protecting our properties, communities, naturals natural preserves, and wildernesses. ANRAS, we reflect on their heroism. show our gratitude and thank them for their extraordinary commitment, exceptional courage, A selfless

30:50duty and offer our support to those firefighters on the front lines every day. Now therefore be resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said Board recognizes and proclaims May 4th, 2024 as International Firefighter Day in Pasco County and encourages the citizens of Pasco County to join in expressing appreciation for the hard work, extreme diligence, exceptional service, and dedicated. Dedication provided by the individuals who work in Pasco County Fire Rescue, done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting

31:20the seventh day of May 2024.

31:22Overpull. Second. The motion second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passed. Welcome gentlemen and ladies. So we appreciate everybody being here and Chief, I guess you're going to uh speak to us here.

31:40Yes, uh myself and um John Michael from uh Local 442 uh showing a unified front. First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to honor the men and women of Pasco County Fire Rescue. And All Five Fighters throughout Our state, our country. uh globally. Every day we come to work. and we put on that uniform to serve our community here. in Pasco County are residents and we provide that level of service that's second to none. I myself,

32:10along with the leadership staff, are so proud of the men and women 'cause they do it. We would not be here without them. and to all the support staff that are behind the scenes Uh doing the work that is it doesn't go unnoticed and we just wanna thank you all really truly the To uh To just acknowledge, acknowledge that to the men and women. And Two fun facts here real quick. First I want to say thank you to Eric and Advent Health and his team because they stepped up, like Commissioner Mariano

32:41said, show support for our Pasco County Fire Rescue Family Fest and they were a huge they were our main sponsor there to help. give back and say thank you to the men and women of Pasco County Fire Rescue and I want to thank them. And my last uh fun fact here is Just to show you how far Pasco County has come. We have a chief from Sacramento, Fire Rescue, that's in town with us today looking at our Our cancer initiatives looking at our the decontamination process in our DCON

33:11depot, that was unheard of five, six, seven years ago. So we are being the industry leaders and stepping out to the forefront collectively with the union and as well as the rank and file and really spearheading this tremendous initiative. So I just wanted to throw that fun fact out there. But thank you very much again and thank you to the men and women of Pasco. County Fire Rescue.

33:34Mr. Weightman. Thank you, Chair. Or John Michael, I guess you're next. Go ahead.

33:39Good morning. On Saturday, May 4th, the members of the Fire Service family worldwide celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of International Firefighters Day. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect on the selfless devotion of firefighters to their communities and the life-saving work they perform every day. As were many of you, I was moved by the stories and personal testimonies offered by friends and colleagues of Commissioner Bradford last week. He embodied the ideals of service to others and a life dedicated to supporting first responders. So in

34:09his honor I would like to recognize those that have committed to a life of service supporting our Pasco County professional firefighters. To all of the 40 hour support personnel, both sworn and civilian, that work tirelessly behind the scenes day in and day out, we appreciate all that you do for us. The divisions of EMS, logistics, personnel, technical services, resource management, operations, health and safety, training, special operations, community risk reduction, and the ambulance billing team are all vitally important and an integral part of our mission's

34:39success. Yeah. We cannot fulfill our obligation to serve the residents of Pasco County without you. To our community partners and external stakeholders, Chief Perez, Chief Gwen, and the entire senior staff, the Pasco County Public Safety Branch, and most importantly to the County Administrator and the Board of County Commissioners, we are grateful to have your support. This board continues to lead the way and, by your example, have created a culture that promotes a passion for innovation and service excellence. We are proud to call Pasco. County

35:10fire rescue, our home. So again, as we celebrate the commitment, dedication, loyalty, and heroism of our professional firefighters on this special day each year, let us not forget those that support them, including their families that sacrifice so much throughout the year. On behalf of the more than 700 professional firefighters that I am elected to represent, thank you to all of those that continue to support us each and every day. Thank you.

35:33Mr. Weightman.

35:34Thank you, Chair. Yeah, Chief, I really appreciate your fun fact. Anytime somebody comes to Florida from California to learn something, uh let's welcome them and and and teach them teach them something great to take to take take back west. So welcome to that that chief if if he's here in town. No. Look, it's no secret y'all have a tough job. You gotta be resilient. Families have to be resilient. You know, it's a true family affair. And so thank you all for choosing

36:04the profession that you do and greatly appreciate your families who go along the rides with you and worry and stress, you know, while you're you're serving the many residents and businesses and visitors of of Pasco County. Um so just thank you and And uh very happy that all of you are here today and as you know. Doors open. Call if you need anything.

36:29Mr. Mariano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, years ago when Commissioner Weightman in the

36:3580s,

36:35we had put a uh an identity that we want to be premier in this county. And I g I gotta say, what your performance does for our citizens, you guys lead in the way in premier. So thank you for that. Um you know you you go out there, you fight fires, you do emergency services, you're on the line helping people out. Yeah. And it's critical moments, it's critical times, and you guys are online every single time. We greatly appreciate it. Uh we're so glad that the whole work in a partnership with the union and the administration to get everybody duly trained so that

37:05everybody's on the same page and everybody can get the work done that needs to get done to save people. It's it's phenomenal. Uh what you do for safety is incredible. And I gotta say I just love the brotherhood that you guys have with each other. It's it's phenomenal. It was so nice to see Family Day where you can all get together, hang out a little bit looser. Uh some of the guys a little bit crazy, but you know Uh but uh great to great to see you guys have that camaraderie coming up. So really appreciate all that you do for the citizens of Pasco.

37:31Mike, you want to add something?

37:36I'd just like to thank yeah, you know, the the collaboration and the cooperation between administration, uh the the the uh the union and and the troops in general. This has just been fantastic. I have never seen just a a greater um uh just a greater brotherhood, a greater working together towards it and and achieving common goals here uh with with this agency and where where it stands today. You guys have Just you continue to raise the bar, you continue to do just great, great work. And I'm I'm just proud to

38:06be able to participate in even some limited way to the success that you bring. And I know it's important to our citizens and what you do because you help people, quite honestly, on the worst day of worst day of their life probably. And it's truly a calling. And I just I just thank you for that.

38:23Yeah. But Chief, J T, I mean, all of you. Uh I support you e each and every day. I I get up and walk through this county and been here my entire life and Firefighters are always uh I hate to say they've been the same, but they think alike no matter where they're volunteer or if they're in another county, they all have the same mindset of doing the right thing for the citizens of their county. And we we're very appreciative of all that you do and all the hard work

38:53you go through and and the Just bringing your families and all together and the brotherhood that y'all ha show. is greater than any I've ever seen. And it's very strong and it and it really stands out in our county. So I certainly appreciate everything you do and I will always completely uh support your group and keep trying to make the things better for you and and the way you can make it better for us. So thank you. If um y'all

39:24come up, I'll come down front And uh we get a picture and you guys stand up here behind us a lot of people.

39:38Yeah.

39:40Commissioner Mary, I'm I'm this close to where the people are.

40:47Probably just two. Yeah. The third.