first responders

Last year, 64 police officers were fatally shot in the line of duty. There were 160 who took their own lives. Miami-Dade police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez stands as a tragic example of where mental health and policing intersect.

The law allows qualified CNAs to administer “routine” medications to residents, freeing up registered nurses to provide other needed care.

Law enforcement, firefighters and paramedics can apply to get free naloxone at select Walmart pharmacies in Florida.

Three groups filed a lawsuit after lawmakers approved directing money to AHCA to adjust reimbursement rates so Medicaid providers would pay at least $15 an hour to direct-care employees.

Florida is among 32 states that don’t treat 911 dispatchers as first responders. Recent efforts in the state Legislature to change that have not advanced.

In total, 67 babies had to be evacuated from Southwest Florida hospitals to regions throughout the state. All Children's in St. Petersburg has 21 of them.

The Mental Health for Heroes Foundation hopes to provide around 250 hours of paid counseling a month and other mental health services to first responders and their families.

These steps follow the recent deaths of six people in Gadsden County from fentanyl overdoses. That prompted first lady Casey DeSantis to call for a meeting to work out strategies to warn residents and promote increased awareness.

A survey of Sarasota and Manatee health professionals and first responders reflects how the COVID pandemic has deeply affected people who help others and the need for more trauma-based services.

Operators will have a map to show exactly where the call comes from and then will share that information with responders.