Clay County leaders announce launch of public safety initiative to help first responders facing personal emergencies
Share this @internewscast.com

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Clay County leaders announced Monday that are taking the initiative to protect law enforcement officers, first responders and emergency management teams with the addition of the Signal 35 Fund, which is named after the county’s radio call code for officers who need assistance.

Former Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said the idea stemmed after Clay County leaders met for lunch about a year ago. That conversation led to the development of the not-for-profit initiative that is privately funded with the objective to provide resources to public officials in emergencies.

“The goal of this initiative is to cut through the red tape when a serious incidents occur. We want emergency financial needs faced by Clay County’s public servants to be addressed quickly,” Beseler said.

Beseler said when organizers reached out to community leaders and elected officials about the idea, they all were eager to “step up and help Clay County’s first responders.”

The board of directors for the Signal 35 Fund were introduced with Judson Sapp, CEO of WJ Sapp & Son Railroad Contractor, named as the president and CEO of the initiative.

“When the chair first came to me and told me their visions of what first responders need in Clay County, I was all in,” Sapp said.

Other board members include Beseler, Jim Horne, former state senator and former state commissioner of education, John Horne, attorney and legal advisor, Scotty Taylor, representing the fire and rescue services and Mary Justino, communications director.

Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook also spoke at the conference.

“The mission of the Signal 35 Fund is to be there when a first responder is in need,” Cook said. Board members will help raise funds in the community and will be ready to provide those funds when a loss or unique emergency suddenly hits.”

According to Cook, each year, between 140 to 160 officers lose their lives in the line of duty in the United States, and over 1,000 more are injured while serving their communities.

“Firefighters, paramedics and emergency management personnel face a similar fatality rate nationally, especially during times of the pandemic. In addition to the dangers inherent in our chosen careers. We also face the same unexpected emergencies everyone else does in life, such as house fires, sudden deaths in the family, natural disasters and major health crisis’s ,” Cook said.

Cook provided this example as to how the funds would work to help first responders: Say a deputy is shot in the line of duty, his wife is out of town, and they do not have the money to buy a plane ticket so she can be by his side… that’s when the fund could be put to use.

Leaders also encouraged everyone in the community to get involved.

“Now that the spotlight is shining on the very serious need in our public safety community. We need even more leaders and certain citizens to respond,” Sapp said.

To donate to the fund, visit signal35.org. The goal is to raise $50,000 in 2023.

Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Mums go on £34 12-hour Ibiza holiday and make it back in time for school run

The group had just one free day together and they certainly made…

Testimony in capital murder trial reveals lack of evidence by SAPD

SAN ANTONIO – Defense attorneys in a capital murder trial pressed an…

‘Made in the Image of God’

President Joe Biden on Friday commemorated Transgender Day of Visibility, calling transgender…

Meet adorable newborn lambs at these 5 amazing Yorkshire farm fun days

You and your family can meet some adorable lambs and their farmyard…

Makallie E. Durham indicted for capital murder, child abuse

Makallie E. Durham (Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office) A 23-year-old babysitter in Mississippi…

Transgender Day of Visibility rallies held amid backlash

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Thousands of people rallied across the country Friday as…

Trump’s legal battle cost his PAC $16 million in 2021-2022

() — After becoming the first former president to be indicted, Donald…

Criminal judge offers perspective on what’s needed to slow the trend

San Antonio – San Antonio communities experienced their share of violent crimes…

24-year-old arrested following deadly shooting in unincorporated El Paso County

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — A 24-year-old was arrested Friday following a…

Huddersfield customers fume after cafe renames Ploughman's lunch 'Ploughperson's'

One customer said he couldn’t believe his eyes when he went for…

Lawsuit Revived Against Walmart From Florida Woman Who Slipped On A Grape

Credit: TFP File PhotoTampa Walmart A federal appeals court Friday ordered a…

Dad of AMBER Alert Tot Refuses to Talk, Cuts Found on Arm After Child’s Mother Murdered in Apartment: Police

The father of a missing Florida tot, Taylen Mosley, is reportedly not…