MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Chief Monetary Officer and State Fireplace Marshal Blaise Ingoglia on Thursday introduced greater than $1.4 million in funding for hearth departments throughout the state, increasing ongoing efforts to deal with most cancers dangers and psychological well being challenges amongst first responders.
Talking at a press convention in Manatee County, Ingoglia stated the funding will assist decontamination tools, coaching infrastructure and different assets aimed toward lowering long-term well being dangers tied to firefighting.
“At this time, we’re proud to award over $1.4 million to guard our firefighters from harmful cancer-causing chemical compounds and to make sure that our hearth infrastructure is prepared for any and all emergencies forward,” Ingoglia stated.
BREAKING: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia (@GovGoneWild) simply awarded over $1.4 million to guard firefighters from cancer-causing chemical compounds and strengthen emergency response capabilities throughout the state
“So right this moment, we’re proud to award over $1.4 million to guard our… pic.twitter.com/NSRhx8VLWD
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) April 9, 2026
The funding contains grants by way of the state’s firefighter most cancers decontamination program and firefighter help program, together with legislative appropriations for native initiatives.
A number of departments acquired smaller tools grants, whereas bigger allocations included $1 million for a hearth coaching tower in DeSoto County and $400,000 for brush hearth vans in Hardee County.
Ingoglia stated firefighters face elevated most cancers dangers on account of publicity to poisonous supplies in fashionable fires, together with plastics and chemical compounds that may be inhaled or absorbed by way of the pores and skin.
“That’s why we’re seeing firefighters with a better charge of sure kinds of most cancers,” he stated.
Native hearth officers stated the funding will assist cut back these dangers and enhance long-term security.
“This funding considerably reduces publicity to dangerous contaminants, serving to to decrease our job-specific well being threat,” Parrish Fireplace Rescue Chief Stacy Bailey stated.
Ingoglia additionally emphasised psychological well being considerations inside the occupation, describing suicide amongst first responders as an rising problem and inspiring these struggling to hunt assist.
“The extra we talk about these subjects in public, the higher off we will probably be as a state and as a group,” he stated.
JUST IN: CFO Blaise Ingoglia (@GovGoneWild) is talking out on the silent battles first responders face daily, and refusing to look away.
“Our first responders, whereas we cherish them as a result of we perceive how arduous they’re going by way of some silent battles.” pic.twitter.com/E9bKF8YOyW
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) April 9, 2026
Since taking workplace, Ingoglia stated he has directed greater than $28 million towards firefighter assist statewide.
