Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia distributed $14 million to about a dozen fire departments and agencies at a Hillsborough County fire station ceremony. Ingoglia, who also serves as Florida Fire Marshal, presented checks to firefighters from departments across the Gulf Coast and Central Florida. The funds come from the state’s Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Grant Program and the Firefighter Assistance Grant Program.
“We do not forget about our first responders. We do not leave them out in the field,” Ingoglia said. “They are the backbone of our communities here in Florida.” Ingoglia acknowledged that today’s firefighters face more chemical threats than ever before, and first responders risk contracting cancer more than most people realize. He also stressed that some of the funding is going to help firefighters recover from post-traumatic stress.
“They have a very tough time in recovering. This is something we should talk about more,” Ingoglia said. “This is starting to hit epidemic proportions. We need to make sure we take care of them on the back end.” Hillsborough County Fire Chief Jason Dougherty said first responders have come to rely on Ingoglia’s leadership. “Through his leadership, he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting firefighters and first responders, ensuring departments like ours have the resources necessary to perform our duties safely and effectively,” Dougherty said.
Pasco County Fire and Rescue received the largest allocation at $3.42 million, while St. Petersburg Beach Fire Rescue and Lake Wales Fire Department each received $3 million. Bartow Fire Department was awarded $2.4 million, and Lakeland Fire Department received $900,000. Port Richey Fire Department received $800,000, while Hillsborough County Fire Rescue was allocated $263,133.
Smaller allocations went to several other departments across the region. Responders First, which operates a First Responders Wellness Program, received $66,500. Treasure Island Fire Rescue was awarded $34,575, while St. Petersburg Fire Rescue received $24,331. Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District received $18,844, and New Port Richey Fire Department was allocated $7,875. Temple Terrace Fire Department received the smallest allocation at $7,357.
Ingoglia has held similar ceremonies distributing funds to fire departments in the past year as part of his ongoing commitment to supporting first responders. The grants address both physical health concerns related to cancer-causing chemicals and mental health challenges including post-traumatic stress that firefighters face in their daily duties. The funding represents a significant investment in protecting those who protect Florida communities from fire and emergency situations.
The distribution ceremony represents part of a broader effort by the Chief Financial Officer’s office to support first responders across Florida. These grants provide critical resources for departments to purchase decontamination equipment and fund wellness programs designed to address the unique health challenges facing modern firefighters. The funding will help departments implement safety protocols and provide mental health support services for their personnel.