CONTACT:
Nina Banister (850) 413-2842
or Kelley Burke (561) 315-6444
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Salutes Firefighters specialty license plate was the hottest selling new plate in 2004. In a celebration in the Capitol Courtyard, it was announced that its 10,000th license plate was sold and its $200,000 in proceeds will benefit charities throughout the state. The tag, depicting a firefighter with a patriotic background, was sponsored by the Florida Professional Firefighters.
The plate, which went on sale throughout Florida last June, was ranked 38th out of a field of 91 specialty plates in 2004, according to the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.
The idea for the specialty tag came from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's Lt. Armand Nault, shortly after the September 11th terrorist act. With the outpouring of community support, he thought a specialty plate would give the public an opportunity to show their support 365 days a year and help local charities at the same time. "The money raised from the sale of each plate will be collected by the Florida Firefighter Charities and will be distributed back to eligible, local charities chosen by the firefighters where the plate was sold," said Nault.
The plate is available to the general public for an additional $20 plus a $2 processing fee required by the state.
"Florida has specialty plates for many worthy causes, from child abuse prevention to wildlife conservation," said CFO/Fire Marshal Tom Gallagher. "This new tag is a wonderful way to show the men and women of fire-rescue here in Florida and throughout the nation that we appreciate their heroic service to our communities."
The FPF has over 19,000 members including firefighters, emergency medical personnel and the state's forestry workers. Last year, the FPF ranked second among the 50 states for their $1.2 million contribution to MDA, just one of the charities that firefighters support.
Bob Carver, President of the FPF said, "The statewide license plate was designed so citizens can be proud to show their support and salute Florida's firefighters."
