News Release

GIG HARBOR, WA - Firefighters National Trust has created a scholarship program for surviving members of the families of New York City firefighters who died in the September 11th World Trade Center attacks, Steve Careaga, Fire Fighters National Trust executive director announced today.

"We are pleased to announce that $3.5 million raised through our web site, www.firedonations.com, is being used to create the FDNY September 11th Scholarship Program," Careaga said. "The generous support of people around the world has made it possible for us to offer assistance with higher education, and career training."

"This scholarship program provides valuable assistance to the families of firefighters who died in the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11," said Edward Burke of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. "Firefighters National Trust has proven itself as a true and responsible friend of firefighters everywhere."

Founded on August 6th, 2001 to assist the families of firefighters nationwide who are killed in the line of duty, Firefighters National Trust was the only online site accepting donations for firefighters' families up and running at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Through a quick partnership with Yahoo, firehouse.com, and other high traffic web sites that gave the site massive exposure, firedonations.org suddenly found itself getting as many as 1,000 hits per second from concerned people worldwide looking to help WTC victims, Careaga said.

Firefighters National Trust presented the "New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund" with a check of more than $4 million last December and an additional $400,000 in June 2002. Firefighters National Trust has also set aside 3.5 million dollars for the FDNY September 11th Scholarship Program, Careaga said.

Scholarships in the amount of $3,000 will be granted to students attending four-year colleges or universities, and annual scholarships of up to $1,000 will be granted to students attending two-year colleges or vocational-technical schools.

Children age 30 and under, or spouses/domestic partners of firefighters who died at the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001 and during rescue efforts are eligible for the scholarships.

For more information call the Firefighters National Trust at 253 853-3430, or visit their web site at www.firedonations.com.

About Firefighters National Trust:
Firefighters National Trust was founded in August 2001by a group of firefighters and former firefighters, who've risked their lives to save others, witnessed tragedy and lost colleagues. Personally touched by the cause, they are inspired to carry out the mission of providing the families of fallen fighters nationwide, including volunteer firefighters, with financial assistance and emotional support, income bridging, grief counseling and education funding. Based in Gig Harbor, Washington, Firefighters National Trust's vision is to provide a vehicle through which the public can support the firefighting community whenever and wherever a tragedy occurs.