00:00We know the hard work and sacrifice they go through serving our community and keeping us safe.
00:06Let's honor another First Responder on 99.5 QYK.
00:11It is First Responder Friday. We have Jessica on the phone who is honoring her husband, Michael, today.
00:17Good morning, Jessica. How are you doing?
00:18I'm doing good. How are you?
00:20We're doing great. So we're glad you reached out to us.
00:22Let's talk about your husband, Michael. Tell us where he serves our community.
00:25He works for the Winter Haven Fire Department.
00:28He is a firefighter, a paramedic.
00:30And how long has he been doing this?
00:32He has been there, I want to say, his sixth year.
00:36Awesome. And how long have you guys been married?
00:38We've been married 11 years.
00:3911 years. All right. So you've watched your husband chase this career.
00:44What do you think makes him great at it?
00:46He's just a very easygoing, low-key kind of person.
00:50And anything that comes his way, he deals with it really well.
00:55Very easy, low-key person.
00:56So he's loving the fact that you're recognizing him on the radio right now, right?
01:00No, he's not.
01:03So how did you feel when he first told you that he wanted to go be a first responder
01:08and have these crazy hours and go out there and do all that stuff in your community?
01:13Well, I grew up in the fire family.
01:16My dad is a retired bat chief for Polk County.
01:20So I grew up in that as a kid.
01:23So I'm used to the hours and, you know, dad not being home for a while.
01:28And so I was kind of like, okay, well, looks like we're going to be back into the groove of that.
01:33So I was supportive for him to do that.
01:36And he kind of got inspired, you know, by my dad to get into it.
01:41Because he worked for Publix for many, many years and wanted to change his career.
01:46And that's what he chose.
01:47Oh, that's great.
01:48That's awesome.
01:49I love that.
01:49And I'm surprised your dad didn't say, stay away from firefighters.
01:52Yeah.
01:53Right.
01:53I'm just kidding.
01:56We're so grateful for what he does in our community and how he serves our community.
02:01We just think it's great.
02:01And the fact that you grew up in a fire family.
02:04So thank you for all the sacrifices you and your family have made as well.
02:08We'd love to do this for you guys.
02:10It's the holiday season.
02:11How about $200 in gift cards from our friends at Crown Buick GMC and Demesman and Dover Law Firm?
02:16This is a small way for us to say thank you for what you guys do.
02:20Oh, that's very sweet.
02:21That's very appreciative.
02:23Hey, it's our honor to do it.
02:24And please give Michael our love.
02:25I sure will.
02:26Yep.
02:26He is going to be working Christmas Day this year, unfortunately, but that's okay.
02:32Santa makes a special trip to our house Christmas Eve.
02:35So.
02:35Very cool.
02:37Well, Jessica, we appreciate you so much.
02:39If you want to nominate someone for First Responder Friday or Military Monday, please do.
02:43Just go to 995QYK.com so we can recognize that loved one or that friend in your life.
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