April 25, 2022 — IDEX Fire & Safety has announced a $25,000 gift from the IDEX Foundation to support iEmpathize, taking the company’s mission to save lives to new heights. The funding supports iEmpathize’s First Responder Training course, offering classroom education on child exploitation and human trafficking prevention to the same first responders that IDEX Fire & Safety’s trusted brands serve on the fireground.
“Building on a long tradition of supplying first responders with the equipment they need on the frontline, we’re equipping firefighters with a different tool to save lives: awareness of human trafficking” said Bill Simmons, president, IDEX Fire & Safety. “We’re proud that IDEX Fire & Safety is able to contribute to such an important initiative and are appreciative of yet another way first responders are saving lives every day.”
IDEX Fire & Safety’s gift will fund iEmpathize’s efforts to bring prevention and intervention strategies to youth and the adults who work with them, including specialized training. The First Responder Training course is designed to address human trafficking specifically from the unique perspective of a firefighter, EMT, paramedic and 911 dispatcher. First responders are uniquely positioned to identify trafficking situations and are often the first to encounter a potential victim or crime. Their role is critical in identifying and responding to human trafficking cases.
“Adults intersect with vulnerable and victimized youth every day, yet cases continue to increase,” said Mark Brende, Engagement Coordinator for the non-profit group, iEmpathize. “By funding our First Responder Training course, IDEX Fire & Safety is helping us provide the tools and equip first responders to identify, report and respond to the issues of child exploitation and human trafficking. We extend our thanks to IDEX Fire & Safety and the IDEX Foundation and appreciate their partnership in the fight against human trafficking.”
IDEX Fire & Safety’s trusted brands in North America include Akron Brass, Hale and HURST Jaws of Life, all of which serve first responders with equipment for the rescue scene. The partnership with iEmpathize allows IDEX Fire & Safety to broaden that commitment to saving lives.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to providing trusted solutions to improve lives in a very different, overarching and powerful way,” said Bruce Johnston, Director of Marketing, IDEX Fire & Safety North America Fire & Safety. “The everyday tasks we do, day in and day out, contribute to our promise to work tirelessly to make the fire ground and rescue scene safer. Now, we can take that promise one step further with making the world safer for vulnerable youth.”
About IDEX Fire & Safety
IDEX Fire & Safety brings trusted brands together to deliver innovation in both customer experience and integrated solutions that revolutionize performance and technology to make the fireground and rescue scene safer. Our brands include Akron Brass, AWG, Class 1, Dinglee, Hale, HURST Jaws of Life®, Godiva, Lukas, Vetter and Weldon. The IDEX Fire & Safety brands represent business units of IDEX Corporation [NYSE: IEX], an applied solutions company specializing in fluid and metering technologies; health and science technologies; and fire, safety and other diversified products. idexfiresafety.com
