Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – On December 31, 2014, Governor Rick Scott issued a proclamation recognizing January 5 – 9, as “Florida First Responder Appreciation Week.”

"There are few things as important to our community as our first responders,” said Alachua County Manager Lee A. Niblock. "They keep us safe and lead the way in responding to and recovering from emergencies. Alachua County is very appreciative of these brave men and women.”

The proclamation reads as follows:

FLORIDA FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION WEEK

WHEREAS, Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek and Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Smith were recently killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, each loss of a law enforcement officer is heartbreaking, and losing two heroes in less than a month is a cry for peace and a signal to all Floridians to pray for our men and women in uniform who protect our communities each day; and

WHEREAS, Florida’s first responders include law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs who bravely and selflessly risk their lives every day to protect Florida families, visitors, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Florida’s first responders do not hesitate to risk their own lives in order to save the lives of others, and their commitment to continued training, skill enhancement, and inter-agency coordination make them vital members of every Florida community; and

WHEREAS, acts of kindness and appreciation from citizens for first responders provide them needed encouragement and support to confront the dangerous and uncertain situations they face every day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim January 5-9, 2015 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week and encourage all Floridians to take time out of their day to show first responders and their families how much we value their service to our cities, counties, and state. Florida First Responder Appreciation Week will be an opportunity for Florida leaders at every level to demonstrate appreciation for all men and women who protect and serve our state as first responders and an opportunity for Floridians to say, “Thank you,” to the first responders who keep them safe.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capital, this 29th day of December, in the year two thousand fourteen.

View the News Release by Governor Rick Scott’s Press Office.

For more information, contact Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief William Northcutt at 352-384-3101.