FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON RECAP

On November 19th, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce held the Annual First Responders Appreciation Luncheon presented by Tyndall Federal Credit Union. Local Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS and Communications were honored at FSU Panama City as the business community came together to show their thankfulness and gratitude.

During the event, Dr. Mario Pulido, Chief Medical Officer at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay introduced the keynote speaker, Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Director Guthrie was appointed Chief of Staff to the Department by Governor Rick Scott in October 2018 and in 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed him as the Director of the Department where his primary focus is to coordinate efforts among all State agencies, counties and municipalities in dealing with natural and man-made disasters.

Firefighter Terry Parris, First Responder of the Year - Fire recipient

A challenge coin was placed at the seat of everyone in attendance at the luncheon. Dr. John Holdnak, President of Gulf Coast State College and Brad Griffin, CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center, spoke about the history of the challenge coin, and as a way to show our gratefulness, presented all Bay County First Responders with a coin.

Gigi Kady, Emerald Coast Hospice presented three First Responders of the Year Awards. These awards were given to those who have went above and beyond their call of duty to better Bay County.

Awards were given in the categories of First Responder of the Year for Fire, Law Enforcement, and EMS.

Congratulations to our award winners: Firefighter Terry Parris (Panama City Beach Fire & Rescue); EMS Jessica Lundeen, (Bay County Emergency Services) and Deputy Casey Melton, (Bay County Sheriff’s Office).

Congratulations to all the First Responders who were nominated for awards by their departments or family members.

The luncheon ended with a special video sponsored by Verizon. This video features local officials. To view this project, visit PanamaCity.org.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event:

Presenting Sponsor: Tyndall Federal Credit Union Keynote Speaker Sponsor: Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Lasik For Heroes Sponsor: The Eye Center of North Florida Award Sponsor: Emerald Coast Hospice Coin Sponsors: Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and Gulf Coast State College Video Sponsor: Verizon Gold Sponsor: WMBB and UF ShandCair

Deputy Casey Melton, First Responder of the Year Law Enforcement recipient

Jessica Lundeen, First Responder of the Year EMS recipient