Florida First Responder Appreciation Week Begins Jan. 4, Reach Out and Say ‘Thank You’

proclaimed BY FLORIDA GOV. RICK SCOTT

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As we wind down a wonderful 2015 and look forward to an incredible 2016, we have been blessed with so many reasons to be thankful.

As a Florida Law Enforcement Officer for the past 38 years, I cannot thank our citizens enough for their support for me and our incredible agency.

I would also like to personally thank all of our Brevard County First Responders for their dedication and commitment to protecting and faithfully serving their communities.

For the second consecutive year, Florida’s Governor, Rick Scott has proclaimed January 4-8 as “Florida First Responder Appreciation Week.”

A time to express gratitude by acknowledging our First Responders who at all times are ready and willing to meet our needs. We are very fortunate to have these individuals so dedicated in rescuing and saving lives, but also so committed and dedicated in their work that they place their own lives at great risk.

Most go about their lives relatively unnoticed until they are needed. They live in our neighborhoods, shop at the same stores as you and I, their children go to the same schools as our children and they attend the same community and faith based events.

They are all too often just another community member until the need arises and their courage is revealed.

This week is the opportunity for our citizens in their own special way to say thank you and show their appreciation to our Brevard County Public Safety members.

First Responder Appreciation Week is a great opportunity to educate our children about the many different types of first responders who work hard each and every day to protect Florida residents and visitors, as well as provide assistance during emergencies.

The value of public service is an important lesson for citizens of all ages as every day, critical situations are faced by our nation’s first responders.

These potentially dangerous events, such as a routine traffic stop or something as catastrophic as an active shooter crisis, hurricane, traffic crash require fast action, coordination of response and situational awareness.

Earlier this week I read a letter to the editor from Melbourne resident Dennis Martinez who on behalf of the Harris Corporation and their 22,000 employees proudly proclaimed their support and appreciation for our protectors.

Dennis is not alone, as I am very proud to say that I receive similar letters and calls of appreciation almost every day from our citizens.

As I speak with our Chiefs of Police, Chiefs of Fire Departments and our entire Public Safety community, it is very clear, that we have tremendous support from our citizens.

Next week is just an opportunity to reach out and say thank you to that Deputy, Police Officer, State Trooper, State Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, or Communication Officer that live day by day by our side, working to keep our community safe and to make it such a wonderful place to live, work and raise our families.

On behalf of our entire agency we want to also thank you for all of your incredible support in protecting our community. We are truly blessed to serve in Brevard County and to have your trust and support.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft.

That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today.

The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.

Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.

Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.

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