NOVATO, Calif. — Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company announced that its corporate philanthropy program, Fireman’s Fund HeritageSM, has surpassed the $10 million milestone since its inception in 2004. The initiative is the company’s nationwide commitment to provide needed equipment, training, and community education programs to fire departments and other fire service organizations.
Fireman’s Fund employees and its network of independent agents work together to identify needs at local fire departments. Grants are issued, in part, to fill the voids left by growing budget cuts. Donations average $20,000, but can range from $5,000 to more than $100,000.
Fireman’s Fund Heritage grants have helped departments across the country purchase thousands of pieces of new equipment. Here is what some of the $10 million has purchased:
- 2,445 Fire Safety Education Programs and Materials
- 845 Sets of Turnout Gear
- 581 Sets of Communications Equipment (radios, pagers)
- 187 Air Packs / Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs)
- 139 Sets/Pieces of Extrication Equipment
- 118 Community Emergency Preparedness Programs
- 96 Thermal Imaging Cameras
- 27 Defibrillators
- 18 Fire Safety Houses for Children
(note: not all grants/equipment listed)
“This is a program that saves lives,” said Joseph J. Beneducci, president and chief executive officer. “A week after we purchased new vehicle extrication equipment for the fire department in Hahira, Georgia, firefighters responded to a serious crash where they used the tools to save trapped victims.”
Additionally, the company has supported national fire service programs by providing the matching funds for the International Association of Fire Chiefs-led “National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System,” the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s “Everyone Goes Home” campaign and the National Volunteer Fire Council’s “Heart Healthy Initiative.”
“Fire departments all across the country are being asked to do more and more with less and less funding,” said Billy Goldfeder, a nationally-recognized fire service instructor and leader who is deputy chief of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in Ohio and co-founder of FirefighterCloseCalls.com. “Fireman’s Fund Heritage is enabling departments to purchase needed equipment and training they might otherwise not be able to afford, and it’s having a true impact on communities nationwide.”
The 4,200 employees of Fireman’s Fund also spend thousands of additional hours volunteering in the community and helping support fire service initiatives.
As part of its ongoing support for the fire service, Fireman’s Fund also funded and presented the critically-acclaimed documentary, “Into the Fire.” The film profiles the daily trials and triumphs of real-life firefighters.
Seen by more than two million viewers nationwide, The History Channel® will air an encore presentation of “Into the Fire” on Sun., Feb. 11, 2007 at 1pm/12CT. The “Into the Fire” DVD will also be available at www.firemansfund.com/heritage. Funds raised through the showing of the film and sale of the DVD will benefit firefighters and fire service organizations across the country in association with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
Fireman’s Fund’s commitment to the fire service stems back to 1863, when the company was founded with a mission to donate a percentage of its profits to the fire service. This commitment was renewed in 2004 with the launch of the Fireman’s Fund Heritage program.
About Fireman’s Fund
Founded in 1863, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and specialty insurance products nationwide. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group (NYSE: AZ), one of the world’s largest providers of insurance and other financial services. For more information, visit: www.firemansfund.com.
