Firefighters in Ocala and Marion County will be receiving new protective equipment thanks to over $31,000 in grant funding.
On Thursday, May 5, the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis held a press conference at Ocoee Fire Station No. 25 in Ocoee to award nearly $112,580 in grant funding to 13 fire departments across Central Florida.
Occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. This funding will be utilized by the fire departments to purchase equipment that offers protection against carcinogenic materials.
During the press conference, Marion County Fire Rescue was awarded $17,248.50, and Ocala Fire Rescue received $14,226.38 in funding.
Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue will use these funds to purchase new equipment which will help protect their firefighters from cancer-causing contaminants.