Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces $1,000 bonuses to first responders

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday that he has approved $1,000 bonuses for first responders across Florida.

Bonus payments, which will total $2.1 million. will be given to those that have been employed as a first responder in Florida since May 1, 2022, DeSantis said at the Jacksonville news conference.

DeSantis presented members of the Jacksonville Fire And Rescue Department checks at Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center on Monday and also stated that government officials are in the process of rolling out payments for first responders on municipal and county levels throughout Florida too.

“Supporting our law enforcement and first responders has been a top priority for my administration, and it has never been more important than over the last year. As a state, we are grateful for their continued service to our communities,” DeSantis said, “This one-time bonus is a small token of appreciation, but we can never go far enough to express our gratitude for their selflessness.”

“When the Coronavirus came to Florida, our first responders worked overtime to protect our communities and get people the care they so desperately needed,” Chief Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said.

“I say all the time that these men and women work 24/7, 365-days a year to protect our communities – and they performed with honor and distinction during this global pandemic. The bonus checks that Governor DeSantis proposed, and secured from the Legislature, means a lot to these first responders and their families who had to live through this crisis. With his hard work, the Governor has made it very clear that Florida loves and appreciates our first responders, which means a lot to these heroes,” Patronis said.

“It is great to see today’s focus on thanking our first responders, not only for their tireless work during the pandemic, but their service day in and day out in our communities,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson.

Simpson continued, “These dedicated women and men are at their best when we are facing some of life’s most challenging moments. They stand with us when a loved one is facing a medical emergency, when a home is damaged by a fire, and so many other difficult circumstances. Today, the Florida Legislature and our Governor are proud to stand with these dedicated first responders, and I hope these bonuses will serve as a reminder that their hard work is seen and appreciated.”

“Throughout the entire pandemic, Florida’s first responders made sacrifices nobody could foresee,” House Speaker Chris Sprowls said. “They answered the call when Floridians were in need the most, and I am grateful for their service. I applaud Governor DeSantis for proposing these bonuses and am proud to have the Legislature get it across the finish line.”

“Over this last year, Florida was fortunate to have many dedicated first responders who fulfilled essential functions of government throughout the most trying months of the pandemic,” Senator Kelli Stargel said. “From our law enforcement officers, to EMTs, to firefighters and many others, we are so grateful to these hardworking professionals, and pleased to be able to offer these bonus payments as a small token of appreciation on behalf of our state.”

“Our first responders worked tirelessly through the pandemic to meet the needs of our communities,” Representative Jay Trumbull said. “In this year’s budget the Legislature affirmed our commitment to our first responders, and I am proud that we met the Governor’s request to provide them with bonuses to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication to Florida.”

DeSantis noted that his announcement comes one day after the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93. DeSantis praised the bravery of first responders that day and noted Florida is the favored destination for retirees from the New York City police and other first responders.