Punta Gorda - Thursday October 13, 2022: Governor DeSantis Thursday awarded $2 million through the Florida Disaster Fund to four first responder organizations which have had members impacted by Hurricane Ian.
These organizations will use these funds to help impacted first responders recover following Hurricane Ian. The Florida Sheriff’s Association has reported more than 65 officers and sheriff’s office personnel who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian. The Florida Professional Firefighters have reported more than 300 members who have been impacted.
“When a storm is bearing down on Florida, your firefighters and paramedics are not at home with their families, they are at fire stations and on the rigs working,” said Rocco Salvatori, Vice President of the Florida Professional Firefighters. “We have had hundreds of firefighters that have lost everything and knowing that the Governor, First Lady and Floridians have our backs means more to our firefighters than you could possibly imagine.”
“Our first responders have continuously put Floridians’ needs above their own over these past few weeks in the wake of the storm,” said Governor DeSantis. “Many of these first responders lost their own homes, but they continued to show up and help keep Floridians safe. We hope that this funding is just the beginning of what will be an outpouring of support to help our first responders tackle their own recovery.”
The four organizations awarded today will receive $500,000 each to aid their members in the storm recovery process. Organizations receiving awards are:
• The Florida Sheriff’s Association
• The Florida Police Benevolent Association
• The Florida Fraternal Order of Police
• The Florida Professional Firefighters
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a 509(a)(3) charitable organization, and are tax-deductible. Donations may be made by credit card on the secure website www.floridadisasterfund.org or by check to the below address. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.