Governor Charlie Crist made a stop in Oldsmar on June 25th to sign into law Florida Senate Bill 198, which formally adopted a state flag in honor of Florida’s fallen firefighters. “The Firefighter Memorial Flag honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Our hearts and eternal gratitude go out to these public servants and their loved ones,” said Gov. Crist during his address. “Florida’s firefighters are public servants of the highest caliber, risking their own safety every day to ensure their fellow Floridians are safe.”
The bill itself originated in Oldsmar and Pinellas County, so it is fitting that the formal signing took place here. The flag was conceived by Scott McGruff, the Oldsmar Fire Rescue Chief, and designed by Palm Harbor Fire Rescue’s fire fighter Rick Weschler, while the bill was co-sponsored by State Senators Charlie Justice and Bill Heller, both of St. Petersburg. Governor Crist, who is himself from St. Petersburg, remarked on how nice it was to be back home in Tampa Bay.
The memorial flag features the Great Seal of the State of Florida surrounded by the words, “Courage,” “Honor,” “Sacrifice,” and “Valor,” and may be displayed at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial which is located in Ocala at the Florida State Fire College, as well as locations to be chosen by families of fallen firefighters and the State Fire Marshal.
