WASHINGTON -- The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company today announced a new grant program to provide career and volunteer fire departments across the country with thermal imaging cameras and other needed equipment.
More than $100,000 is available in the first phase of the "Into the Fire" grant program. The allotment comes from initial DVD sales, T-shirt sales, screening events, and other fundraising of the "Into the Fire" documentary.
"Approximately 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year," said Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. "The 'Into the Fire' grant program will help put critical equipment like thermal imaging cameras in the hands of firefighters across the country - directly improving safety and helping to reduce line-of-duty deaths."
Proposals are being accepted on-line from April 1, 2007 through May 31, 2007 at www.firehero.org. As the fund grows, additional application periods are expected in the future.
Funds Raised Through "Into the Fire"
Fireman's Fund conceptualized and financed "Into the Fire," an emotionally-charged film featuring firefighters from across the country telling their entertaining and sometimes tragic stories.
The documentary, which aired on The History Channel??, is available for sale on DVD. They can be purchased at www.firemansfund.com/heritage. Fireman's Fund donates $7 from each sale to the fire service. Purchasers may elect to direct a portion of this amount ($5) to their local fire department via a drop-down menu organized by ZIP code. The remaining $2, or all $7 if no fire department designation is made, goes to the "Into the Fire" fund.
"NFFF shares our commitment to providing firefighters with the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently," said Danielle Cagan, community relations director at Fireman's Fund. "This new grant initiative is an extension of our Fireman's Fund HeritageSM program, through which Fireman's Fund and our network of independent agents award millions of dollars in grants each year to fire departments and non-profit fire and burn prevention organizations nationwide."
Bullard Supports Program
Through the Fireman's Fund Heritage program, Fireman's Fund has already awarded more than $1 million for the purchase of 100 thermal imaging cameras. Fireman's Fund recently joined with Bullard, a leading thermal imaging camera manufacturer, to help maximize its grant program. As part of the arrangement, special pricing for Bullard thermal imagers is available to Fireman's Fund.
"This allows Fireman's Fund to award more thermal imaging cameras to more fire departments," said Cagan. "For every four thermal imagers we were able to provide in the past, we can now provide five."
"We are pleased to extend our arrangement with Fireman's Fund to the 'Into the Fire' grant program," said John Hays, marketing director for Bullard. "This is a great way to give back to the fire service community."
Three Bullard TIC models are included in the arrangement, including the T3XT Thermal Imager, T3Max Thermal Imager and T4 Thermal Imager. All models purchased with a Fireman's Fund grant come in a unique white casing and bear the Fireman's Fund logo with its trademark fire helmet.
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
Founded in 1863, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and specialty insurance products nationwide. 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. For more information, visit www.firemansfund.com.
