GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis assessed coronavirus readiness activities at Fire Station #1 in Gainesville. The CFO was joined by Gainesville Fire Chief Jeff Lane, Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus, and other local officials. Today’s operational readiness assessment comes on the heels of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) confirmation of two individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus in Florida.
 
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “We’re in Gainesville today to meet with first responders who would be charged with engaging potential coronavirus cases. I want to ensure our first responders are receiving a steady flow of information from their partners, and we’re assessing any equipment challenges they may run into as demand for protective gear skyrockets. With two confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida, it’s important our first responders are prepared and know proper protocols when dealing with infectious disease. For some time now, we’ve held roundtable discussions and statewide calls with first responders in preparation for this deadly disease.”
 
CFO Jimmy Patronis has been meeting with first responders to distribute important guidance, holding roundtables to facilitate information sharing and coordination among fire rescue units and assess equipment readiness in case critical life saving assets need to be moved from one region to another under the State Emergency Response Plan (SERP).