I think almost every little boy at one point in time dreams about wanting to be a firefighter or police officer when they grow up. They seem like superheroes to us while we were younger, and it turns out, we were always right. The courage, strength, and dedication it takes from our first responders on a daily basis is incredible. What an awesome experience it was to have a firsthand look at what our first responders go through as we experienced our ride along, as well as our First Responders Day. Huge thank you to our sponsor for the day, Tampa Federal Credit Union, and our day chairs, Assistant Chief Ruth Cate with TPD, and Major Eric DeFelice with TPD as well.
We started the day with a panel discussion with all the leaders of our first responders: Tampa Police Department Chief Lee Bercaw, Tampa Fire Department Chief Barbara Tripp, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Suzy Lopez, and Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell. They each shared their departments’ responsibilities, jurisdictions, and challenges they currently face. A consistent theme we heard was the sheer number of people overseen AND protected by each department. While each of these leaders manages large teams dedicated to safeguarding our community, the weight of responsibility carried by every individual first responder remains immense. I know one thing after this panel discussion – we have the right people in place to keep our community safe.
As we wrapped up the panel discussion, we headed downstairs to receive a tour of the Tampa Fire Museum. Getting a first glance at the history of the fire department in the Tampa community was awesome. Their old communication tools, safety gear, and fire trucks was the picture-perfect ending to a great morning.
The highlight of the day was our visit to the Falkenburg Road Jail, where we were given a rare, unfiltered look at what life inside the facility truly looks like. Walking through the jail was humbling. We spent time learning about the programs designed to help inmates rebuild their lives, starting with the education opportunities offered to veteran inmates. Hearing how the facility creates structure and support for those who have served our country was both encouraging and inspiring. We also visited vocational training areas, where inmates can learn valuable trades and earn certifications. These programs are built to give individuals a path forward once they are released. This is a reminder that rehabilitation is a critical part of public safety. The most sobering moment came when we stepped into the holding cells for higher‑risk inmates. The starkness of those spaces instantly shifted the tone. It’s one thing to imagine what confinement feels like. It’s another to stand there and experience the weight of it. That moment reinforced a simple truth: jail is absolutely not the place for me.
The second half of the day brought us to the Tampa Police and Fire Department training facility, where we shifted from observation to immersion. We stepped into their virtual reality simulators to see how officers practice real-world decision making under pressure. Then we climbed into the training vehicles and experienced firsthand the maneuvers officers use during high-speed pursuits. It was better than riding rollercoasters at Busch Gardens.
The fire department gave us an equally hands‑on experience. We sprayed fire hoses, felt the sheer force behind them, and crawled through their metal training building used to simulate real fire rescues. The day ended with a full reenactment of a high‑speed chase and kidnapping scenario, complete with a SWAT rescue. Watching the precision, coordination, and courage involved left a lasting impression.
Leadership Tampa continues to broaden my perspective, but this day in particular reminded me how much our first responders do to keep our community safe. Today was incredible because it is one thing to admire first responders from a distance, but it’s another to feel the intensity of their world up close.