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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis honored members of Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces 1 (Miami-Dade) and 2 (City of Miami) during a recent ceremony in Miami as a part of his “Year of the US&R” statewide tour.
Following the tragic Surfside Condo Collapse, CFO Patronis has fought to secure $10 million in funding for equipment and training to support Florida’s dedicated US&R task forces.
During the Ceremony, the CFO was joined by members of the Florida fire service community, Florida Professional Firefighters, Florida Fire Chiefs Association and elected officials to honor members of US&R Task Forces 1 and 2 with Surfside Memorial Challenge Coins. The CFO distributed nearly 160 challenge coins to US&R Task Forces 1 and 2.
“It was an honor to be in Miami today and recognize the brave men and women of Florida’s US&R Task Forces 1 and 2,” Patronis said. “I saw the work of God when hundreds of Florida’s Urban Search & Rescue Team members fought, and kept fighting, for any hopes of life. They worked 12-hour shifts in the Miami summer, cutting rebar, cutting concrete, filling five-gallon buckets of debris, hand-by-hand. These men and women battled fire, they battled rain, they battled the heat. Their boots and gloves were destroyed.
“As the State Fire Marshal, I felt compelled to do something to honor these heroes for everything they sacrificed. In today’s ceremony, we honored them with a challenge coin and a ribbon for them to wear on their uniform. The challenge coin represents respect, unity and courage, values that Florida firefighters live by. It is my hope that these coins are passed on through generations of their children, and their children, and their children, so that everyone knows that heroes walk amongst us,” Patronis said.
“CFO Patronis has long been a fierce advocate for Florida’s more than 45,000 firefighters,” said Bernie Bernoska, president, Florida Professional Firefighters. “The men and women who answered the call and came to Surfside have been through hell and back, and we all owe them our gratitude for their service. Thank you, CFO Patronis, for ensuring they get the recognition they so deserve.”
Ray Colburn, executive director and CEO, Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association said, “There is no one better to have in your corner than Jimmy Patronis. Without a doubt, the Surfside condo collapse was one of the most challenging experiences for our men and women in the fire service community. I appreciate CFO Patronis for being there for our fire chiefs every step of the way. Recognizing Florida’s US&R teams will go a long way to showing support for these heroes.”
The Surfside Memorial Challenge Coins feature the seal of the State Fire Marshal’s Office with words “RESPECT” “UNITY” “INTEGRITY” and “COURAGE,” which are the values Florida Firefighters live by. The other side features a picture of the Champlain Tower with the words “Surfside Collapse” “June 24, 2021.”
