DANBURY, Conn. (Nov. 16-20, 2010) – In the U.S. more than 70 percent of all firefighters are volunteers, often maintaining full-time jobs while simultaneously protecting their community regardless of the conditions. With another harsh winter around the corner, Prestone, a leading producer of antifreeze/coolant, this week launched “Own it for Good” — a nationwide initiative that will spotlight and help vehicle owners who use their cars “for good” — with a car winterizing effort supporting volunteer firefighters serving communities across the United States.
Through a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and volunteer fire departments in the Chicago, New York City, and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas, Prestone’s team of certified technicians — along with former NFL tight end-turned firefighter Erron Kinney — will lead the way to winterize as many volunteer firefighter’s vehicles as possible in one week’s time, from Nov. 16-20. The first 50 people to RSVP to the event in each market will also receive an autographed photo of Erron Kinney.
“There are very few organizations in this country that rely on their personal vehicles more than volunteer firefighters,” says Kelley O’Donnell, director of marketing global coolants for Prestone. “Our goal is to provide an important service to these men and women while also informing the public that proper vehicle maintenance is vital in these tough winter months.”
Erron Kinney knows this firsthand. At just 33 years old, the former Tennessee Titan is already a seasoned veteran with more than 10 years of volunteer firefighting experience that spans back to his days at the University of Florida. The standout tight end was notorious for sleeping next to scanners and made a point to visit at least one fire station on every road trip with the Titans. With plenty of experience balancing his volunteer firefighting duties with a full-time job in professional sports, Kinney’s passion has made him a catalyst within the world of firefighting.
“Ever since I was young, I can remember being drawn to anything that has to do with burning buildings and fire trucks,” says Kinney. “As I’m sure many volunteer firefighters can attest to, it takes an extreme level of passion and dedication to be constantly ‘on guard’ and prepared to drop everything to help your community. Whether you’re in a fire truck or your own personal car, having a well-maintained vehicle can mean the difference between saving … or not saving lives.”
Having supported a number of efforts put on by the NVFC, Kinney and Prestone will embark on the three-city tour beginning on Nov. 16 in the New York City area, before traveling to the metropolitan areas of Chicago (Nov. 18) and Washington D.C. (Nov. 20). In each city the Prestone team will set-up at a local fire station, where volunteer firefighters from across the region will bring their personal vehicles to be winterized by a team of certified technicians. Additionally, Prestone will make a $15,000 donation to the NVFC in addition to a $5,000 donation to each individual event-site fire station.
“In most instances, volunteer firefighters are the first people in the community to respond to fires or other types of disasters that occur in their area,” says Heather Schafer, executive director of the National Volunteer Fire Council. “These first responders often come straight from their homes, relying on their personal vehicles to get them there safely. By partnering with Prestone and Mr. Kinney, we’re hoping to do a great thing for some very deserving volunteer firefighters.”
For more information or to RSVP for the event, contact Tom Febrey at [email protected]. To learn more about how to become a volunteer firefighter in your area, call 1-800-FIRE-LINE or visit www.nvfc.org
About The National Volunteer Fire Council
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. Organized in 1976, the NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer fire and emergency services in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Each state firefighter’s association elects a representative to the NVFC Board of Directors.
About Prestone and Honeywell Consumer Products Group
Honeywell Consumer Products Group, a business unit within the Honeywell Transportation Systems segment of Honeywell International Inc., has headquarters in Danbury, Conn. Its leading automotive care products include FRAM oil, air, transmission and fuel filters; Autolite spark plugs and ignition wire sets; Prestone antifreeze and car care products; and Holts car care. It maintains R&D capabilities in both the United States and Europe and has a manufacturing footprint in 10 countries worldwide.
