HIALEAH, Fla. — Firefighters face more than flames when they battle a blaze. Some carry the trauma long after the sirens stop.

The recent suicide of a South Florida firefighter changed the conversation Thursday as Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, also the state’s fire marshal, visited the Hialeah Fire Department.

He was there to hand out about $1.5 million in checks for cancer-fighting equipment for departments in Miami-Dade, Broward and the Florida Keys.

But talk turned to another danger firefighters face as a profession.

A Miami-Dade firefighter, Andrew Brandon, died by suicide the week before.

His personal struggles are an example of what some call an epidemic of mental illness in first responders, who deal with more than their share of traumatic experiences.

Ingoglia called on local governments to fund more help and more services for first responders.

Local 10 News asked him to square that with his months-long campaign to lower or even eliminate the local property taxes that would fund it.

“I would much rather have local governments prioritize, put first responders first when they build out their budgets ― fire and police ― and fund the things that are important to them,“ Ingoglia said. ”Also, there is enough room in local government budgets."

Brandon was the third Miami-Dade firefighter to die by suicide in the last two years.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people who are in suicidal crisis or distress.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.