Mayor Teresa Jacobs Speaks on Pulse Tragedy and Receives Award at Florida Association of Counties Conference
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined county leaders from around the state at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Annual Conference and Educational Exposition held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center the week of June 26.
Mayor Jacobs was recognized with the organization’s 2017 Presidential Advocate award for her leadership in local government and partnership with FAC during the 2017 legislative session. Mayor Jacobs previously served as FAC president from 2007 to 2008.
At this year’s conference, Mayor Jacobs was a featured speaker on Orange County’s response to the Pulse nightclub tragedy, and was joined by Orange County’s lead Public Safety Public Information Officer, Carrie Proudfit. Also presenting in the same breakout session was Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry, who spoke about the January, 2017 shooting at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, when five people were killed by a gunman.
On June 12, 2016, a gunman killed 49 people and injured 68 others at Pulse Nightclub in the City of Orlando. It is considered the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest incident of violence against the LGBTQ community in modern U.S. history. The Pulse tragedy is also considered the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Earlier this month, Orange County joined the City of Orlando and onePULSE Foundation to observe the one-year remembrance of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy on Orlando United Day | A Day of Love and Kindness. The community remembered the 49 innocent lives lost, their family and friends, as well as those who were physically injured and those who bear the deep emotional scars of survival. The community also extended their support for the Pulse family, Pulse Nightclub owner Barbara Poma and the LGBTQ, Latinx and Hispanic communities.
The FAC annual conference featured more than 20 workshops to educate county leaders on various topics, ranging from social media best practices to emergency and crisis response. In addition to Mayor Jacobs’ presentation, attendees participated in workshops featuring statewide subject matter experts on topics ranging from opioid use to mosquito-borne illnesses.
Other Orange County officials honored by FAC during the conference include Orange County District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey, District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke and District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla.
FAC helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration. The annual conference was attended by representatives from more than 60 counties in Florida.
Photo Caption: Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry and county leaders from around the state at the Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference and Educational Exposition at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.