Pro Poly of America, Inc., United Plastic Fabricating, Inc.
This event was held to communicate to state, local and federal officials the importance of their continued support for the first responder community. It was further planned to demonstrate the support for local first responders by business leaders of the community.
Represented at this event were the following fire service organizations:
• Florida State Fire College
• Ocala Fire-Rescue
• Marion County Fire-Rescue
• Emergency Medical Services Alliance
The following state and federal officials:
• U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns
• State Representative Kurt Kelly
• Representatives from the offices of:
• Congressman Ric Keller
• Senator Mel Martinez
• Governor Charlie Crist
• Congressman Larry Cretul
• Congressman Steve Oelrich
• Senator Evelyn Lynn
• Senator Charles Dean
Also present were local elected and appointed officials from Marion County, City of Ocala and City of Belleview, as well as other community and business leaders.
Demonstrations by firefighters from Ocala and Marion County supported by the Florida State Fire College and Community Technical and Adult Education.
As stated by Dave Casey, Bureau Chief of the Fire College, “Where better to showcase the fire and emergency service products coming out of Marion County than the facility that trains personnel from all over the state and often from other states and even sometimes other countries? “
A local newspaper stated, “Lawmakers watched Thursday as Ocala’s firefighters and fire equipment manufacturers had a moment in the sun—and in the heat of a 20-foot propane-fueled fireball.”
“Not to worry, the fire was part of a demonstration at the Florida State Fire College. The blaze was quickly extinguished to show legislators and local
officials what local firefighters can accomplish using locally produced equipment.”
U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns said he would support increased funding for fire service grants. “If we don’t both financially and materially support these people, we put ourselves and this community and nation in jeopardy,” he said. “The first responders are a national security basis that should be put into perspective and we need to fund them.”
Tim Dean, President of ProPoly stated, “The forum provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase to local, regional and federal political officeholders and their staff the significant impact the manufacturing community provides to Florida’s economic engine; it also allowed all of us the chance to say thanks to a group of first responder heroes for their selfless service to our community.”
“This year’s event was broadened to honor area fire-rescue workers as well as demonstrate the industry’s economic value,” said Ron Ewers. “Our goal was to show our community how much of the fire service we really have here.”
“Local fire equipment manufacturers are an important part of the Marion County
economy,” said Mayor Randy Ewers. “The manufacturing community is a huge,
huge part of our economic engine.”
“We’re asking for your help,” Ocala Fire- Rescue Chief Dan Gentry said at the luncheon after the demonstration. “Please be a champion for the fire service, because we need every voice that we can.” In a follow-up call Chief Gentry advised the event had a very positive impact on the City Council members which came to light during budget discussions that took place a week later.
Chief Stuart McElhaney, Marion County Fire-Rescue, spoke on the need for continued support for Fire Act Grants. Marion County has received $445,817 in funds from the fire grant program, much of which has gone to firefighter fitness and a mobile fire trainer (simulator) which provides for safe and efficient training of firefighters throughout the county.
Bob Kreps, IDEX Fire & Safety President stated, “None of us can overlook the fact that these duties are executed in spite of the personal risk involved. A lot of people take these services for granted. We all expect in our time of need that someone is going to show up to help.”
This event was covered by Rick Cundiff of the Star-Banner newspaper and by WCJB TV-20 news.
Yesterday’s Marion Legislative Home Day went very well. We hosted the event for the Marion members of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association and was to show case what they do and their economic impact on the community. Legislators that represent the area were invited and US Congressman Cliff Stearns, State Representative Kurt Kelly and staffers from many others, including the Governor’s office.County Commissioners, City Council members, Ocala’s Mayor, and School Board officials including the School Board Chairmen attended.
While the primary focus was the manufacturers, we provided tours and written material about our mission and facilities. You will note new pictures up in the MPR.
The event seemed to go well, with excellent feedback and praise for the Division, the Bureau and the Fire College. It was definitely a “win” for us.
I wanted to thank everyone involved for making this go so well. Especially to Angie, John Holloway and Shane Alexander, but certainly many of our other folks that helped clean up, organize and set up everything. Several times it looked like an ant hill with grey shirts outside getting stuff put together outside.
Culinary Arts absolutely out did themselves.
Thanks again. Such events seem to drain our attention from our daily activities, but really do help us in our bigger leadership role, and tend to come back to help us in other ways.
Dave Casey, Chief
Bureau of Fire Standards & Training
Florida State Fire Marshal
352 369-2833 www.floridastatefirecollege.org
“We’re asking for your help,” Ocala Fire- Rescue Chief Dan Gentry said at the luncheon after the demonstration. “Please be a champion for the fire service, because we need every voice that we can.” In a follow-up call Chief Gentry advised the event had a very positive impact on the City Council members which came to light during budget discussions that took place a week later.
