TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis hosted the ‘Ringing of the Bell’ ceremony to honor Florida’s fallen firefighters. During the ceremony, 16 fallen firefighters were honored as their names were inscribed on the Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial in The Florida Capitol Courtyard. The CFO was joined by families of the fallen firefighters, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Florida Legislators, local elected officials, and members of the Florida fire service community.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Today, we honor the men and women in the fire service community who paid the ultimate price to keep us safe. These heroes dedicated their lives to others and sadly answered their last call. With the Ringing of the Bell tradition, it is an opportunity for us to honor the memory of those who put others ahead of themselves and served with dedication, compassion, and dignity. With each ring, we mark the ending of a final call for the brave heroes honored on these walls, the ones who lost their lives bravely and with honor. May God bless these heroes. May God bless their families.”

Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said, “Today was a solemn opportunity to permanently recognize the selfless service of Florida’s fallen firefighters. In the face of danger, these brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice, dedicating their lives to protecting ours. I pray that today’s ceremony and the ringing of the bell also serves as a call to action—a call to support, a call to honor, and a call to remember.”

A list of the honored fallen firefighters is below:

• Daryle Blankenship – Titusville Fire Department
• George F. Braun – Gainesville Fire Rescue
• Thomas J. Cook – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Henry Cusell – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Austin Duran – Apopka Fire Department
• Robert E. Garmon, Jr. – Jacksonville Fire Rescue
• Graeme Gilmour – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Raymond J. Hennessey – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Hillary Kanwischer – North Lauderdale Fire Rescue
• Mark Reuter – Riviera Beach Fire Rescue
• Michael Riley – St. Augustine Fire Department
• Jeffrey Smith – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Michael J. Thompson – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Jason Tucker – Pasco County Fire Rescue
• Jim W. Vinsand, Sr. – Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
• Richard “Brian” Wolnewitz – Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue

For more information on Florida’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial, click here.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).