Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Thursday that the state’s first responders employed by local governments will receive $1,000 bonuses this year.
The news marks the second consecutive year of bonuses for first responders including police officers, sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters throughout the state.
$1,000 Bonuses for First Responders in Florida https://t.co/WAgr1kFDfU
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 31, 2022
“Our first responders work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities,” DeSantis said in a statement.
“While other states turned their backs on law enforcement and first responders, Florida has continued to support them. These bonuses are a well-deserved recognition to our law enforcement and first responders for all they do for Florida,” he added.
DeSantis also took to Twitter to express his appreciation for Florida’s first responders.
“We depend on our first responders to serve and protect, no matter the emergency. These $1,000 bonuses are a token of our appreciation for all they do for our state every day,” he tweeted.
We depend on our first responders to serve and protect, no matter the emergency. These $1,000 bonuses are a token of our appreciation for all they do for our state every day. pic.twitter.com/pJGoetIwAG
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 31, 2022
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis also shared his excitement over the news in support of the state’s first responders.
“Florida’s first responders are the tip of the spear when protecting our communities,” Patronis said.
“Whether it’s policing our streets or responding to devastating hurricanes, tornadoes or tragedies like the Surfside condo collapse, I’ve seen firsthand the daily sacrifices they make to keep us safe. What our law enforcement and firefighters do is not just a job – it’s a calling – and thank God they answer that call. While other states turn a blind eye to the badge, we are proud to support these heroes. Thank you to Governor DeSantis for your nonstop support of Florida’s first responders,” he added.
DeSantis previously announced $1,000 bonuses for the state’s law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders as part of a $400 million funding proposal to increase first responder salaries in November, declaring, “We will always support our law enforcement.” The Daily Wire previously reported:
“While other states have turned their backs on law enforcement, even calling to ‘defund the police,’ in Florida we continue to support the men and women in law enforcement,” DeSantis said in a statement.
“I am proud to propose larger and longer-lasting measures to help our state recruit and retain the best law enforcement officers in the nation and to provide $1,000 bonuses for first responders and law enforcement officers for the second year in a row,” he added.
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis also applauded the move, referring to the state’s first responders as “heroes.”
“Through natural disasters and a pandemic, these are the heroes that leave their families at a moment’s notice to run towards danger in the service of others. We don’t have safe communities and a vibrant economy where families can thrive without these heroes working every day to protect us,” Patronis noted.