During the Firehouse Expo 2017 opening ceremony, the Wiggins, MS, Fire Department was recognized as the winner of the 2017 “Step Up and Stand Out: Recognizing and Inspiring Local Fire Safety Volunteers” contest. Wiggins secured the most Facebook likes for its video, which explained the value the department provides its community.
The Step Up and Stand Out campaign is a national initiative sponsored by Kidde and Allstate Insurance Company to increase the awareness of the need for volunteer firefighters and to recognize those departments whose men and women have voluntarily put their lives at risk to keep communities safe.
Kidde and Allstate teamed up with Firehouse, the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) on the Step Up and Stand Out program. The program asked fire departments to submit videos explaining how they give back to their communities and why volunteers are important. The winner was determined by the video that had the most “likes” on Facebook.
The department receives a prize package consisting of $3,000 grant, full registration to the VCOS Symposium in the Sun, 200 Kidde smoke alarms, IAFC and VCOS Section memberships, two free admissions to Firehouse Expo, NFPA Fire Prevention Week in a Box,
Terry Burns, an Allstate agent in Nashville, and Chuck Flynn, vice chairman of VCOS, presented the check award to Wiggins Chief Jody Ray Hatten.
“The staff of the Wiggins Fire Department, consisting of career and volunteer firefighters, strives to protect our community through educating the public, enhancing firefighter education, and by being proactive within our community and the public service community,” said Chief Hatten. “The firefighters of our community have always had a deep sense of pride in striving to be the best they can, to be able to answer the call of duty, and be able to help those who are in need, no matter their needs or circumstances. Winning the Step Up and Stand Out Award is a tribute to the men and women volunteers of our department and we are thrilled and honored to receive the award.”
Learn more about the Step Up and Stand Out campaign at facebook.com/StepUpandStandOut.
