Community Pulls Together to Aid Firefighter and his Family

The Key West community is once again proving its generosity and caring. Members of the Key West Fire Department, Local 1424, contractors, and the community gathered at the home of the Franco family on Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking on a replacement of the family home.

The Ashby Street house has been in the Franco family since 1978 and was severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Robert Franco, a Key West Firefighter, has been battling cancer while continuing to work as a first responder in the city. He and his wife Elizabeth, along with their twin daughters – high school juniors – have not been able to rebuild the home due to health and financial issues.

KWFD Local 1424 and the Key West community, with the help of licensed contractors, have begun the process of donating their time and raising funds necessary to build Robert, Elizabeth, and their family a new home.

The Francos have established a go fund me account and non-profit 501 (C) to help assist the community and anyone who would like to donate to the effort. These funds will help pay for any materials that are not being donated by the businesses listed below.

In 2021 the community celebrated a similar feat of caring for its own by cutting the ribbon on a new Galveston Lane home for Ms. Alelia Butler. Her home had been destroyed by fire. She barely got out alive, but she lost everything. Over 60 companies and volunteers came together and donated to the effort that resulted in a new, fully furnished home.

Ms. Butler came to the Franco home groundbreaking on Wednesday, along with about 60 firefighter, police, and members of the community.

Frank and Mercy Herrada were on hand to present the Francos with the permits necessary to immediately begin construction. Their company. FMH Builders, Inc. is the lead in the project, as they were for Ms. Butler’s home. Division Chief Jason Barroso, who is spearheading the effort, says the goal is to have the Francos into their new home during this calendar year.

Deacon Peter Batty was on hand to provide an invocation at the ceremony.

Some of the contractors who have already agreed to donate and committed to ensuring the success of the new build for the Francos:

Frank & Mercy Herrada (FMH Builders)

David & Charlie (GSCC Services)

Key West Firefighters Union Local 1424

Bella Construction

John Toppino (Monroe Concrete)

Cline Plumbing

Manley & Deboer

Raymond Vazquez (Florida Keys Electric)

Chris Zuelch (Zuelch & Zuelch Accounting & Tax Services)

Cabanas Printing Key West

Manley & DeBoer Lumber Company

Rick Milelli (Engineer of record for project)

Angel Painting

Strunk Ace Hardware

Keys Auto Center

All Star Air Solutions Steven Leto

Gary’s Plumbing & Fire, Inc.

Island Fencing Anthony Galvan

Como Propane

Certified Appliances & Repair, Inc.

Mile O Kitchen & Design, Inc.

Lynn O’ Flynn Survey