TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous approval of Senate Bill 376 by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, sponsored by Senator Lauren Book.  

“The numbers don’t lie. More than 15 percent of firefighters reported having made at least one suicide attempt during their time in the fire service, compared to about 2 percent of the general population. Forty-six percent of firefighters reported having thought about suicide, compared to about 5 percent of the US population. These statistics are alarming and this is what we are fighting to change this session.

"Our first responders arrive on any emergency scene without hesitation, without question. We can only imagine how difficult it is to face what they see daily. I’m putting the full weight of my office to increase benefits this legislative session for our first responders who suffer from PTSD. It’s time Florida steps up for our fearless first responders."