Thousands of Florida first responders were given $1,000 checks on Tuesday for their efforts during Hurricane Ian.
- Many of the checks, which are part of Florida's Freedom First Budget signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in June, were handed out by DeSantis himself in a Sanibel Island ceremony.
"We are proud of the hard work and selflessness that our first responders demonstrate every day, especially when communities are relying on them more than ever," DeSantis told the crowd. "For nearly three weeks, first responders in Southwest Florida have been working day and night in the wake of Hurricane Ian to save lives and help their communities."