Letter from Plantation’s Fire Chief Don Todd

Since the season of autumn is soon upon us, I’d like to touch on a few items.

Unless you’ve lived in South Florida for a while you may not notice the subtle weather changes as we transition from summer to autumn. The average daily temperature will begin to drop. Our children will begin spending more time outside, after school and on weekends. The sun will set a little earlier and daylight changes at dusk can make driving a challenge. Please use caution and be observant of children playing in or near streets. We love to see our kids playing outside and enjoying some fresh air. Let’s make sure those experiences are both safe and enjoyable for everyone.

While the thermometer may begin to drop, there are still plenty of hot days ahead of us. If you are outside, please remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, take frequent breaks from the heat by resting in shady areas, and always wear a hat. These simple tips will keep you safe and help you continue to enjoy our enviable Florida weather.

Remember, storm season is not over just yet. The storm season runs from June through November. The month of September is actually the peak of hurricane season. So, please remember to stay on guard, keep your plans and kits ready, and watch for weather updates. If you have not put your plans together yet, I suggest visiting our website at www.plantation.org for ideas and plan starters.

Finally, I am saddened to inform our neighbors that once again the Plantation Volunteer Firefighter’s Association will not be hosting the annual barbecue this year. For the last two years we had to suspend the event due to Covid-19. We were very excited about bringing back the oldest and longest running tradition in the city. However, due to rising costs and supply chain issues, we are not able to conduct the barbecue in the same manner that meets our standards.

While the barbecue represents one of the Volunteer Fire Association’s annual fund raisers, we are exploring other fund-raising opportunities to help support our many civic programs including Care-A-Little. I am very well aware of how much we all enjoy the annual firefighter’s barbecue and how it represents a chance for the entire community to come together. I hope we can return to this great event in the future. In the meantime, I ask you to continually support the Plantation Volunteer Fire Association in whatever efforts it chooses to bring forward.