'They truly are the best of the best' - Jack Parker
First responders who work at Eastern Florida State College were honored Thursday as the college marked First Responder Appreciation Week in Florida. (Eastern Florida image)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – First responders who work at Eastern Florida State College were honored Thursday as the college marked First Responder Appreciation Week in Florida.
Dr. Linda Miedema
“We’re all indebted to the brave men and women who serve and protect us,” said Dr. Linda Miedema, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Learning Officer.
“First responders are there to help in a time of need and often put their lives at risk to protect ours. To all of our law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, we say thank you.”
Added Jack Parker, Associate Vice President for the Public Safety Institute and College Security:
Jack Parker
“Courage and a selfless devotion to the public good are characteristics that define first responders and why we are grateful to have them in our midst.”
“They truly are the best of the best.”
Eastern Florida plays a unique role in public safety through its Public Safety Institute on the Melbourne campus where first responders are educated and trained for positions in agencies throughout Brevard County and Florida.
The Institute includes a Law Enforcement Academy, Corrections Academy, Fire Science Technology and Fire Academy, Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center and Emergency Medical Services programs.
Numerous faculty and staff at the college also work for public safety agencies in the community, plus the college operates a campus security team staffed by professional officers.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared the week of Jan. 5-9 as Florida First Responder Appreciation Week and encouraged “all Floridians to take time out of their day to show first responders and their families how much we value their service to our cities, counties, and state.”
