Emmitsburg, MD -- The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is proud to announce the selection of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department as a recipient of the Firefighter Life Safety "Seal of Excellence" Award, and the Foundation's receipt of $1,000,000 in funding for the second year of the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives program.
The Foundation will hold a press conference on April 20, 2006, at 11:00 am on the steps of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Headquarters in Millersville, Maryland, with officials from Anne Arundel County and the United States Fire Administration, to present the award and formally announce the continued funding.
The prestigious "Seal of Excellence" Award is specifically designed to recognize the efforts of individuals, groups, departments or organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to the efforts of making the American fire service safer. It will be presented to Anne Arundel County Fire Chief Ronald Blackwell for his efforts to promote firefighter life safety within the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, as well as nationally.
Chief Blackwell's commitment to firefighter life safety includes the adoption of a new county-wide response plan to emergencies, production of a video, and complete department participation for the National Firefighter Safety Stand Down Day for 2005. He also tasked the Department's Health & Safety Division with reviewing existing policies and procedures to ensure they support the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. "We welcome Anne Arundel County Fire Department in the Foundation's drive to reduce the number of firefighter line-of-duty deaths to make "Everyone Goes Home" a reality," said Hal Bruno, Chairman of the NFFF.
The $1,000,000 from the Department of Homeland Security, Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will allow the Foundation to continue its mission of reducing firefighter fatalities nationwide by 50% over the next ten years. Recognizing the need to do more to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries, the Foundation launched a major initiative in 2005 to bring prevention to the forefront. Year one funding for the project was also provided by the Department of Homeland Security, Assistance to Firefighters Grant and a corporate match by The Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. Sixteen Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives are the core elements of the program and were developed by the American Fire Service to reduce firefighter fatalities and injuries nationwide. Information about the Initiatives can be found at the program Web site, www.EveryoneGoesHome.com -- which is the mantra of the Life Safety Initiatives.
