Commissioner Stewart appreciates first responders

As Florida First Responder Appreciation Week kicks off, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart told Historic City News that she is urging K-12 school teachers and principals, college presidents, and all parents and families to send encouragement and gestures of gratitude to their local first responders.

There are more than 125,800 total first responders currently serving in Florida, which includes law enforcement, fire fighters, paramedics and emergency medical responders.

“These selfless men and women are the first to be there for us and our communities, often times in the face of danger,” said Commissioner Stewart. “We owe them our gratitude and admiration for their service in these critical roles.”

There are a number of ways student and families can be involved and show support during this week: cards or letters of appreciation; poems or songs that express gratitude; individual drawings of a first responder helping someone; class posters or other art projects that can be displayed in schools or given to local first responders.

The education and preparation first responders receive is crucial to the emergency situations that these men and women are often faced with. “I think it is important that our society realizes what first responders do for them and the training that it takes to achieve entry-level positions,” said Bill Bierbaum, Director of Certificate Programs with Tallahassee Community College’s Florida Public Safety Institute. “When you’re running away from an emergency, first responders are the ones running toward it.”

Keeping the importance of these first responder roles in mind, Commissioner Stewart has asked superintendents and college presidents to help students and their communities celebrate Governor Scott’s call to action regarding the newly proclaimed Florida First Responder Week. For additional ideas on what you and your students can do to show appreciation for a first responder visit the Florida Department of Education’s Pinterest page at http://www.pinterest.com/floridadoe/thank-our-first-responders/