In case you missed it. The Apopka news week in review includes seven articles that shaped the city last week... all in one place, including details on a mixed-use project on Kelly Park Road.
On Sunday, 13 firefighters from the Apopka Fire Department, and seven of their family and friends participated in the Tunnel to Towers 5K run in New York City honoring the sacrifice made by first responders on 9/11.
The promotions came a week after the Apopka City Council approved a budget that added 18 firefighters, a Training Officer, a Health and Safety Officer, and a Quality Assurance Officer.
Our firefighters will now be able to run calls with three firefighters per apparatus, providing safety for our firefighters and higher-quality service to our residents.
The debates, discussions, tweaks, and edits typically come during the budget workshops. The hearings should be formalities that the Council agreed on two months ago.
The Armando Borjas Jr. Scholarship Foundation hosted its first-ever "Together As One" Festival on Saturday, helping to honor a local firefighter and remember the events of 9/11.
A funny thing happened between the budget workshops and hearings - the idea of hiring enough firefighters to add a third person to the fire engines returned.
The budget process in Apopka is usually cut-and-dried. Department heads present their plans to the Council at three workshops. The hearings are usually a formailty.
Michael Duran, the father of deceased firefighter Austin Duran is emphatic about the urgency needed to bring the AFD up to proper safety, training and staffing standards.
The Armando Borjas Jr Scholarship Foundation is founded on the core principles that Armando himself represented each day - dedication, self-improvement, and the drive to spread knowledge.
As we look back over the last 21 years since the attacks of September 11th devastated our nation and changed the course of history forever, we are encouraged to remember the sacrifices.
Much like last year's budget workshop, Apopka Fire Chief Sean Wylam outlined his presentation by asking for a modest increase from $15.2 million in last year's budget to $17.8 million in this one.
Apopka said goodbye to Austin Duran on Saturday. The 25-year-old Firefighter/EMT for the Apopka Fire Department died 15 days after suffering injuries related to a tragic workplace accident.
Social media can sometimes be an outlet for a community to express its grief and condolences. And this weekend, Apopka showed exactly how much its heart is broken, but also that they will never forget Austin.
We regret any emotional distress the timing of the original article may have caused Apopka residents, its firefighters, or Austin's family and friends.
Austin is doing good and progressing well. Although the previous surgeries were successful, doctors have determined that a fourth surgery is necessary.
In case you missed it. The Apopka news week in review includes five articles that shaped the city last week... all in one place, including details on the injured firefighter Austin Duran.
Tragedy struck the community this holiday weekend when Apopka Fire Department Firefighter/EMT Austin Duran was seriously injured, but now there is a way to help the family.
A firefighter from the Apopka Fire Department is in serious but stable condition at the Orlando Regional Medical Center after an apparatus called a sand trailer fell on top of him.
