First Responders Suicide Deterrence
Task Force

The First Responders Suicide Deterrence Task Force is charged with making recommendations on how to reduce the incidence of suicide and attempted suicide among employed or retired first responders in the state. The Task Force will identify and make recommendations on developing training programs and materials that would better enable first responders to cope with personal life stressors and stress related to their profession and foster a culture that:

1. Promotes mutual support and solidarity among active and retired first responders
2. Trains agency supervisors and managers to identify suicidal risk among active and retired first responders
3. Improves the use and awareness of existing resources among active and retired first responders
4. Educates active and retired first responders on suicide awareness and help-seeking

Meeting Information

The Task Force meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 2:00pm. Meetings are open to the public.
See events calendar for meeting information.

Task Force Member List

Representing	Appointed Official
1.    Florida Professional Firefighters’ Association	Mike Salzano
2.    Florida Police Benevolent Association	Michael “Mick” McHale
3.    Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police	Mike Tucker
4.    Florida Sheriffs Association	Matt Dunagan Allie McNair
5.    Florida Police Chiefs Association	Chief Charles Vazquez
6.    Florida Fire Chiefs Association	VACANT
Non-voting members
7.    Statewide Office for Suicide Prevention	Anna Gai
8.    Florida Department of Law Enforcement	Matt Walsh
9.    Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles	Major Joseph “Cory” Harrison
10.  Retired Firefighter	Ryan Gallik
11.  Miami Gardens Police Department	Tim Adams, Michael Dillon, and Sam Espinosa
12.  St. Petersburg College	Mary VanHaute
13.  Florida Division of Emergency Management	Darcy Abbott
14.  LSF Health Systems	Scott Swanstrom
15.  2nd Alarm Project	Kellie O’Dare Lance Butler