By Guy LaLonde
From the very beginning, I have stood firmly in support of public safety, and a key part of my campaign was the commitment to bringing Fire Station 8 to reality. Today, we took another major step forward.
It was truly an honor to stand alongside Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, at a press conference in Riverview, recognizing critical state investments into our communities.
Joining me were Lakeland Fire Department Chief Doug Riley, Assistant Chief Matt Brown, IAFF President Shannon Turbeville, Commissioner Terry Coney, and fellow leaders who are deeply committed to serving and protecting our residents.
I want to extend a sincere thank you to State Representative Jennifer Canady for her tireless advocacy in securing a 900000 dollar state appropriation for Fire Station 8. Her hard work, perseverance, and steadfast commitment to public safety made this possible. CFO Ingoglia’s leadership and focus on strengthening communities across Florida continue to make a real impact where it matters most.
This project is more than a new facility. It is a direct response to what our community has been asking for. When I ran in 2023, I heard clearly the need to reduce response times and address the growing demand in this area. Fire Station 8 will help deliver faster response times, improve service, and relieve the pressure currently placed on Station 3.
This is what strong partnerships look like. Local and state leadership are coming together to deliver meaningful results for the people we serve.
We are not just building a fire station. We are investing in safety, strengthening our infrastructure, and honoring our commitment to this community.
Proud to represent Lakeland and grateful to be part of progress that truly makes a difference.
#LoveLakeland#PublicSafety#PromisesMadePromisesKept