Ocala, FL - Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) and the Ocala Police Department (OPD) hosted an intimate ribbon cutting ceremony for the MLK First Responder Campus, 505 NW MLK Jr. Ave., on November 19th.

The ceremony marked the opening of the project that broke ground in December of 2019. The campus, made possible through the one percent Public Safety and Transportation Infrastructure Sales Tax, encompasses OFR's administration, OFR's Station #1, an OPD substation, a basketball court, a community room, and the Ocala Fire Museum.

Remarks were provided by Ocala Fire Chief Shane Alexander, Chaplain Joe LaCognata, City Council President Jay Musleh, City of Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, Ocala Police Major Lou Biondi, Cullison-Wright President Barry Mansfield, Senator Dennis Baxley, Pastor James Pullings, and Chamber & Economic Partnership President and CEO Kevin Sheilly.

"This is not a typical government building," said Ocala Fire Chief Shane Alexander. "This campus is a catalytic project meant to serve as common grounds where residents and public safety personnel can interact freely, safely, and in a familiar manner."

For more information about the MLK First Responder Campus, please contact Ashley Lopez, OFR's Public Information Officer, at 352-817-5914, or Corie Byrd, OPD's Public Information Officer, at 352-427-2813.