Baltimore, MD — It has quickly become one of the most important pieces of equipment any firefighter can have, and now fire departments in eight communities across the country will receive the most modern, high-tech versions of the tool.
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 the “Into the Fire” grant program.
After careful review by representatives of the NFFF, 11 winners were chosen out of more than 1,249 proposals. The combined value of all grants is more than $90,000.
“The pure number of applications to this grant program show how desperate local fire departments are to get new thermal imagers,” said Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF.
Each camera, valued at approximately $10,000, uses updated technology to enable firefighters to “see” through smoke and darkness to quickly locate anyone trapped in a building during a fire.
“Thermal 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.”
The grant program is funded by money raised from DVD sales, T-shirt sales, screening events, and other fundraising related to the “Into the Fire” documentary. DVDs can be purchased at www.firemansfund.com/heritage. Fireman’s Fund donates $7 from each DVD 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.
Fireman’s Fund has a longstanding commitment of supporting the fire service and making communities safer. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund HeritageSM, the company’s philanthropic program, has donated more than $13 million to over 450 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
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.