Fireman’s Fund Grant Marks $30M Awarded to Fire Service

Marking $30 million in grants awarded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to fire departments across the country, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) received $61,133 to purchase various lifesaving equipment, training, and educational materials. Since the grant program was launched in 2004, Fireman’s Fund has awarded grants in all 50 states including more than $655,000 to FDNY.  

“Few organizations have supported the fire service for as long and with as much enthusiasm as Fireman’s Fund,” said FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. “The generous grants from Fireman’s Fund and its agencies — including the latest grants from CMJ Underwriters, Taylor & Taylor Associates and Wells Fargo Insurance Services — have been a tremendous help to the Department; enhancing the training our members receive, supporting the fire safety education we provide to the public, and helping to educate our future firefighters, EMTs and paramedics at the FDNY High School.”

“As we celebrate our company’s 150th anniversary this year, we also look to the future. With these grants, we honor the fire service and support initiatives that help firefighters overcome the modern challenges they face,” added Danielle Cagan, director of the grant program at Fireman’s Fund. “This is an important milestone that is not just about cutting checks, but about supporting those who do so much every day to keep us all safe.”

The grants supported the following fire department programs and stations:

In support of a station hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, CMJ Underwriters is directing $25,000 to a FDNY station located in Queens. With these funds, the station is able to purchase a forcible entry simulator, training props and firefighter fitness equipment. The simulator is a large, sturdy door and frame combination that gives firefighters hands-on experience at forcing open locked doors. This training tool will provide firefighters practice with pry bars, hand tools and power tools. Repeated practice increases the speed of entry, saving valuable time during emergencies.

To continue their ongoing support of the FDNY High School, Taylor and Taylor Associates, Inc. is directing a $15,506 grant to FDNY. Since 2004, the FDNY High School, located in the East New York section of Brooklyn, has served hundreds of minority students utilizing a ground-breaking initiative that provides a solid educational background, while also preparing individuals for a successful career in emergency response. Through this unique program, students can earn a state emergency medical technician certification along with their high school diploma and enjoy a variety of educational and career paths to choose from–including the FDNY.

Wells Fargo Insurance Services is directing $20,627 that will support both FDNY Station 50 (EMS) and the FDNY Fire Zone. The EMS equipment will help enhance emergency response and improve patient care at a station which saved the life of a family member of a Wells Fargo employee in 2009. The Fire Zone serves thousands of students annually and this grant will enable FDNY to reach a greater population of New York City school children to train and educate them on critical lifesaving practices.  

The grants are part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Founded with a social mission to support the fire service, Fireman’s Fund today awards grants to fire service organizations for life-saving equipment, firefighter training and community education programs. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has awarded grants to more than 1,900 different organizations totaling more than $30 million — including more than $1.8 million in New York state and $655,000 to FDNY. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.

To learn more about the grant program and other grants awarded across the nation, visit www.firemansfund.com/heritage. To learn more about the rich history of Fireman’s Fund, visit www.firemansfund.com/timeline or www.firemansfund.com/film.