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Heritage Program Distributed More Than Six Million Dollars In 2007
Initial data collected in early January show that Fireman's Fund Heritage® distributed an estimated 429 grants in 2007, for an estimated total of $6,377,243. (Some grant data were still outstanding as our e-newsletter went to press.)
This total includes grants directed through independent agents representing Fireman's Fund, and through Fireman's Fund employees participating in the Bucket Brigade. It does not include contributions from screenings of "Into the Fire" and the related sales of DVDs and clothing, or from grants donated by 500 For Life, both of which efforts have resulted in thousands of more dollars for equipment for the nation's fire services.
The 2007 Heritage grants bring the overall total funds distributed by Heritage to fire companies and other agencies across the nation to $16,460,458, as of December 31, 2007, counting from the program's inauguration in 2004.
Under the Heritage program, Fireman's Fund employees and the company's network of independent agents work together to identify needs at local fire departments. Grants are issued, in part, to fill the voids left by growing budget cuts and lack of time for local fundraising activities. Donations average $20,000, but can range from $5,000 to more than $100,000.
Grants typically purchase such items as thermal imaging cameras, turnout gear, extrication equipment, portable radios, ventilation saws, nozzles, self-contained breathing apparatus sets, and medical defibrillators.
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Among the more than six million dollars in grants distributed by Fireman's Fund Heritage® in 2007 was a December grant worth $5,000 to the Colorado Springs Fire Department, of Colorado Springs, CO. Pictured with members of the department are Fireman's Fund Business Development Manager Karen Nickerson (middle left) and Chris Eldridge (middle right), president, Wells Fargo Insurance Services — Mountain West, the agency that directed the grant.
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Partnership With Bullard Starts Trend
A notable achievement in 2007 was the Heritage program's partnership with Bullard, the leading manufacturer of thermal imaging cameras. As part of the arrangement, Bullard provides special pricing to Fireman's Fund for its Heritage grants to help maximize the program and the grant dollars that have been donated. Thanks to this agreement, for every four thermal imagers Fireman's Fund was able to provide fire departments in the past, it can now provide five.
"Fireman's Fund is currently working on similar partnerships with selected other companies that manufacture equipment and gear for fire service and emergency professionals," says Ron Mori, Heritage Program Director at Fireman's Fund. "We expect to announce other partnerships in our e-newsletter in the coming months, which will help our grant dollars go farther than ever."
The discounted purchase price for the Fireman's Fund Bullard thermal imaging camera, shown above, helps stretch Heritage grant dollars significantly.
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Visit Us!
2008 Events
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Representatives from Fireman's Fund will attend a number of important fire service-related trade shows and conferences this year. Our schedule so far includes the following conferences:
 Firehouse World,
San Diego: Feb 5-7
FDIC, Indianapolis:
April 7-12
Firehouse Expo,
Baltimore: July 24-26
Fire Rescue
International,
Denver: Aug 14-16
We will also be attending the Congressional Fire Services Institute 20th Anniversary dinner and events in Washington, DC from April 2-3.
If you are attending any of these trade shows this year, please stop by the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company booth and say "hello" to Fireman's Fund employees and independent agents.
"These trade shows are an excellent way to learn about the Fireman's Fund Heritage program and get answers to any questions you may have," says Ron Mori, Heritage program director.
Mori reminds fire service members that we do not have a "traditional" process to apply for a Fireman's Fund Heritage grant. Instead, fire departments share their needs with Fireman's Fund by filling out a survey at the Heritage Web site. This information is provided to Fireman's Fund employees and independent agents who are interested in directing grants, and remains in our system indefinitely so there is no need to resubmit the information. Fire departments may also contact a Fireman's Fund agent in their area to share their needs directly.
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