Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia announced over $1.4 million in awards to several Florida fire departments forĀ upgrades to equipment, supplies, and training to protect firefighters from dangerous cancer-causing materials while speaking in Bradenton this week.
As CFO, Ingoglia is also Florida's Fire Marshal.
"As State Fire Marshal, it is a privilege to support Florida's firefighters who continually run towards danger to protect their communities," Ingoglia said. "It is imperative that firefighters have all the tools and equipment they need to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and the tools to protect themselves after a fire from the cancer-causing chemicals they may have come in contact with. This funding is a step forward in ongoing efforts to protect firefighters and the communities they serve."
The fund, through the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant, Firefighter Assistance Grant, and FY 2025-2026 Budget, will go to the following:
Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant
- East Manatee Fire Rescue District - $12,248.25
- Town of Longboat Key - $7,976.29
Firefighter Assistance Grant
- Parrish Fire District - $20,672.20
Ā FY 2025-2026 Budget Ā
- DeSoto County Fire Training Tower - $1,000,000
- Hardee County Brush Fire Trucks - $400,000
Desoto County Fire Chief Chad Jergensen and Parrish Fire Rescue Stacey Bailey thanked Ingoglia for the awards.
"By establishing a new fire training tower, we can better prepare for firefighters to put out fires quicker, limit property damage, and save lives. I am grateful to CFO Ingoglia for awarding this to our department," Jergensen said.
Bailey added," I want to extend my gratitude to CFO Ingoglia for strengthening our ability to respond to any and all emergencies. This money is an investment in public safety that guarantees we have better capabilities to save lives and property.Ā Thank you for making the safety of our heroes your passion!ā
Florida Professional Firefighters District Vice President Jason Berzowski, Hardee County Public Safety Director Casey Dasher, East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst, and Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi also thanked Ingoglia for the awards.
Ingoglia's announcement follows $500,000 in awards to bolster other Florida fire departments this week. In addition, Ingoglia awarded $1.6 million to departments in March.
