Florida Tech has earned the “Veteran Safe Place” designation from The Fire Watch organization after more than 70 faculty and staff underwent specialized training to empower them to be able to identify and support veterans in crisis and be aware of available resources to help them.
The effort was spearheaded by Deanna Perez, director of student outreach and support and a veteran spouse, who was seeking suicide prevention training to offer the campus community. More than 12% of Florida Tech students are military affiliated, including 414 active duty, 330 veteran dependents and 220 veterans.
“I remember our days living on base and being exposed to veterans talking about their issues and what they had seen. Many were engaging in suicidal ideation,” she said. “I am so proud of our employees for undergoing this hour-long training. It makes our campus a safer, more aware place.”
The Fire Watch launched its Veteran Safe Place Program in 2021 and has since mobilized more than 15,400 people in Florida to undergo the training and become Watch Standers, the organization’s name for people it has trained.
Henry Angulo led the Florida Tech training. A 12-year Marine Corps veteran, he serves as The Fire Watch’s regional programs director for southeast Florida. He said becoming a Watch Stander is a short and easy way people can show their appreciation and support our veterans.
“They are family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. They are heroes who have risked their lives to protect our community,” he said. “The least our community can do is work together to protect them.”
Visit the Watch Standers area of the Fire Watch website to learn how to earn the free Watch Stander certification and support our veteran community.
