Duval County Health Department

Smoke and Ash Make Music Difficult for Street Performer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Soothing sounds fill the air in downtown Jacksonville, mixed with smoke and ash.

"It's very difficult," said Patrick Rogers, playing the trumpet near the Landing. "It smells pretty bad."

Rogers and his son, Patrick Jr., came to play anyway.

"We know people appreciate the music."

But with each breath Rogers can feel the difference in the air.

"It's almost like if you have asthma," Rogers said. "I don't have asthma, but to try to inhale it and exhale it, it's difficult because the air quality is not there."

Jacksonville was ranked worst in the state for air quality Tuesday evening, and it's also under a health advisory.

"This is fairly bad," said Charles Griggs with the Duval County Health Department.

The smoke can worsen conditions like asthma, according to Griggs, who says continued exposure can put your health at risk.

"Even if you are healthy, you may experience some irritation with some of the symptoms out here," Griggs said.

Rogers said he feels it in his eyes and nose, and hears the difference in his music.

"Your wind control is going to determine your tone quality, how loud you're able to play, how far you're able to play, how long you're able to play."

He hopes the smoke clears soon, so he and his son can play on.

The Hogans Creek Master Plan | Metro Jacksonville

The Duval County Health Department formerly referred to as the Duval County Public Health Unit was created in October 1938 and was the 16th unit in the state to become part of the state-county system. Its formation was due to the efforts of a concerned Citizen's Committee headed by Mrs. Willie Bell. The new unit was to be the companion of the already existing City of Jacksonville Health Department, created in July of 1889. Kolbein K. Waering, M.D., was selected as the first Health Officer and he was joined by seven public health nurses, two sanitarians and one clerk at the headquarters on First and Market Streets. Funding for the unit was shared by the Florida State Board of Health, the Board of County Commissioners, the United States Public Health Service, the Children's Bureau of Labor Department and the Works Progress Administration. The population of Duval County and Jacksonville in 1938 was approximately 176,000 people. After interim moves to 1050 Hendricks Avenue in 1945, to the County Courthouse and to 962 Main Street, the new unit began operation in its present location at 515 west Sixth Street in 1972. This section of the master plan would become the most urban.  Sections of Newnan and Orange Streets would be closed to automobile use and become pedestrian promenades.  Redevelopment of sites, such as the Park View Inn, would integrate retail and residential uses with Confederate Park.  Along Liberty Street, existing city-owned warehouses would be demolished and replaced with greenspace and basketball courts. How realistic is it to expect the Duval County Health Department to relocate from what appears to be a solid headquarters building at the corner of 6th and Broad Streets?  How do the City's plans for an already funded $1 million multi-use path fit into what is shown on the vision plan?  One of the future redevelopment sites along Newnan and Orange Streets will soon see a Family Dollar store rise.  How can such a project be designed to promote the goals of the master plan?  Bus Rapid Transit and Streetcar projects will slice through this public space before the entire master plan becomes reality.  How do we make sure these projects and the plan are well integrated with one another?   Sure.  My thought is that many things shown on the plan won't actually happen in their particular location (or ever), which is very typical of long range vision and master plans.

Observational survey of safety belt and child restraint use in Duval County, (May 1996)

Florida health notes

Testing the waters 1999, a guide to water quality at vacation beaches

Annual report - State Board of Health, State of Florida

Community practice skills, local to global perspectives