Fellow Floridian:

Two momentous events occurred this week that are generating more conversations about climate change and the urgent need to understand and address the risks we all face. One of those events was the death of Tim Wagner, Nebraska Insurance Director, who also served as co-chairman of the Climate Changes and Global Warming Task Force of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The other event was the announcement that former Vice President Al Gore and a United Nation’s panel won the Nobel Peace Prize for their global work on climate change.

• For years, Tim's work has been at the forefront of addressing the impact of social and environmental issues on the insurance industry. In fact, through his wealth of insurance regulatory knowledge, we became more aware about climate risk and the insurance industry, re-evaluating the state’s risks in light of reports on the potential impact of climate change.

• Both Gore and the UN Panel deserve much credit for their efforts to increase awareness about the growing reality of climate change. If not for their efforts, many people would still be unaware of its increasing presence and real threat to our way of life.

Nearly seven months ago, with Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson we began the first in a series of discussions on climate change and its impact on our state with the Florida Cabinet. Director Wagner was a speaker at the first workshop, and that meeting marked the beginning of public conversations, among elected officials in Florida, about the potential economic and environmental impacts and opportunities climate change may bring.

Next month, we will hold our final "Conversation on Climate Change" in Florida. This is a global issue, and we urge Floridians to participate and make their voices heard. The world is finally listening.

CFO SINK ON GOVERNOR’S SIGNING OF NO-FAULT REFORM LEGISLATION

On Thursday, Governor Charlie Crist signed into law HB 13C, which makes crucial reforms to Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. 

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink offered the following statement: 

“I applaud Governor Crist and our legislative leaders for their success in reforming Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law.  Today’s reforms will better protect Florida drivers, institute cost controls and strengthen our anti-fraud efforts.  While the new law will benefit consumers, the reforms will not be in effect before January 2008.  During the next two months, I encourage every Floridian to contact their insurance agent or company to ensure they have sufficient coverage to protect themselves and their assets.”

LINDA HERNANDEZ

J. BRINKLEY PRICE

ANNUAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD

Florida’s second female firefighter to die in the line of duty to be honored

Firefighters and families from all parts of Florida will gathered Friday, October 12, 2007, at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala to remember the 137 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. While there were no deaths in 2006, two firefighters, Linda Hernandez and J. Brinkley Price, will be added to the wall this year. Linda is the second female firefighter to lose her life as a result of firefighting efforts.

“It is a tribute to the effective safety efforts of state and local fire agencies that we had no on-the-job or job-related deaths last year, and I thank everyone involved in that good work,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire Marshal. “At the same time, I extend my condolences and heartfelt appreciation to the families, friends and communities who lost firefighters in past years. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Linda Hernandez of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue passed away in September of 2001, following a long illness attributed to firefighting efforts in 1999. Also to be honored is J. Brinkley Price of the Seminole Fire Rescue in Pinellas County. Price lost his life following an incident in September of 1961. Both names will be added to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the Fire College in Ocala and to the Fallen Firefighter Wall of Honor in the Capitol in Tallahassee. The ceremony comes at the conclusion of Fire Prevention Week, which began Sunday and continues through Saturday.

The annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial was held at the memorial site in the Fire College courtyard. Honor guards, including bagpipes and drums, from across the state will take part in the event. In a tradition that dates back more than 150 years, the ceremony will conclude with the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace. CONTINUED

CFO SINK ADDRESSES BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The CFO also discussed statistics that reflect that 74% of homeowners receiving free wind inspections from the My Safe Florida Home program are learning that they are eligible for $189 savings on their wind insurance premiums, without completing any mitigation efforts on their homes.