The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation® (NFFF) and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company today announced the fire departments selected to receive a thermal imaging camera and other equipment from a nationwide grant selection process.
After careful review by representatives of the NFFF, six winners were chosen out of more than 1,249 grant submissions. Four of the departments will receive new thermal imagers, while the other two are being awarded needed equipment that includes water pumps and personal protective clothing. The combined value of all grants is nearly $90,000.
A formal presentation event will be held Friday, April 11 at the FDIC national fire conference in Indianapolis.
Each thermal imager, valued at nearly $13,000, uses updated technology to enable firefighters to "see" through smoke and darkness to quickly locate anyone trapped in a building during a fire.
"Thermal imagers are proven tools for saving lives," said Dennis Compton, chairman of the NFFF. "It is one of the hottest pieces of equipment in the fire service today because every department not only wants one, but needs one to be as effective as possible."
"Thermal imaging cameras are used every day around the country to find victims and save lives," said Danielle Cagan, Heritage program director at Fireman's Fund. "We are proud to be part of this program which is designed to make local communities safer."
Grant Winners
| Fire Department | City | Equipment |
| Cressona Fire Company #1 | Cressona, PA | Thermal Imaging Camera |
| Espen Volunteer Fire Company | Espen, KS | $15,000 for two new water pumps |
| Exeter Park Volunteer Hose Co. | Exeter, PA | Thermal Imaging Camera |
| Farmington Hills Fire Department | Farmington Hills, MI | Thermal Imaging Camera |
| Jefferson Fire & Rescue | Jefferson, ME | Thermal Imaging Camera |
| Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company | Unionville, PA | $19,000 for new turnout gear |
The grant program is funded by money raised from DVD sales, T-shirt sales, screening events, and other fundraising related to the film, "Into the Fire." The 70-minute documentary, funded and presented by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company on The History Channel®, captures amazing stories told first-hand by men and women firefighters who have dedicated their lives to protecting others.
Fireman's Fund has a longstanding commitment of supporting the fire service and making communities safer. Since 2004, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company has donated more than $17 million to over 900 different fire departments across the country.
About NFFF
The United States Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the nonprofit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. With the support of fire and life safety organizations and funding from Fireman's Fund and the Department of Homeland Security, the NFFF launched a major initiative to reduce firefighter deaths. Its goal is to reduce line-of-duty firefighter deaths by 25 percent in five years.
About Fireman's Fund
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and specialty insurance products nationwide. Founded in 1863 with a mission to support firefighters, Fireman's Fund continues this mission today through the Fireman's Fund Heritage program. Fireman's Fund is a member of the Allianz Group (NYSE: AZ), one of the world's largest providers of insurance and other financial services. It is rated 'A+' by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. For more information, visit www.firemansfund.com.
