SAN DIEGO (Feb. 24, 2011) – With the start of this year’s wildfire season just months away, Momentous Insurance Brokerage and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company are teaming up to provide two Southern California fire departments with critical, new gear. San Diego Fire-Rescue and the Orange County Fire Authority are each receiving $12,500 to buy needed equipment to specifically battle wildfires.
San Diego will use its grant money to purchase 15 new high-tech portable radios. The department will rely on these to communicate during a fire, not only among its own firefighters but with other agencies as well. The benefits of utilizing radios like these were discovered during the massive wildfire of October 2007 – the fourth largest fire in the state’s history. “Communication is always the number one safety concern in any wildland fire incident,” said San Diego Fire Chief Javier Mainar. “These radios will allow firefighters to communicate with other agencies and remain in contact with the incident command leaders.” The Orange County Fire Authority will use its grant money to purchase a variety of gear including chain saws and lightweight pumps for large fires. The Leary Firefighters Foundation, founded by actor Denis Leary, played a key role in helping direct this grant money to both San Diego and Orange County.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line for us every day,” said Leary, president of The Leary Firefighters Foundation. “The Fireman’s Fund grants help two fire departments purchase equipment they need to do their jobs and keep us, and themselves, safe.”
The grant is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to more than 1,600 different departments totaling more than $26 million.
Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like Momentous Insurance Brokerage, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.
"Firefighters should be working with the best equipment available when battling dangerous wildfires,” said Diane Brinson, CEO and founder of Momentous Insurance Brokerage. "It can be prohibitively expensive for a local department to purchase the gear that San Diego and Orange County are receiving, so we hope this donation will make a difference.”
About The Leary Firefighters Foundation:The mission of The Leary Firefighters Foundation is to provide funding and resources for Fire Departments to obtain the best available equipment, training and technology. The Foundation was established in 2000 by actor Denis Leary in response to a tragic fire in Worcester, Massachusetts that claimed the lives of Denis’ cousin, a childhood friend, and four other firefighters. The Leary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. For additional information, please visit www.learyfirefighters.org.
About Momentous Insurance Brokerage, Inc. Momentous Insurance Brokerage, Inc. is a full-service company dedicated to providing the highest caliber of insurance and risk management consultation. It designs a variety of insurance programs, including protection for high net worth individuals, film and TV productions, music and touring companies and artists, large and small business, as well as life, health and disability for individuals and groups. For more information, visit www.momentousins.com, follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/momentousins, or read their blog at www.momentousins.com/blog.
About Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal and commercial insurance products nationwide. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group, one of the world’s largest providers of insurance and financial services. For additional information, visit www.firemansfund.com. To visit Fireman’s Fund’s “Supporting Firefighters” Facebook page, go to facebook.com/SupportingFirefighters.
