An advisory board comprised of representatives from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, as well as other leaders in the fire service, will provide guidance on how to distribute the funds. Fireman's Fund committed $250,000 to start this effort, which will be supplemented by employees' local fundraising activities and contributions that will be matched by the company. These funds are in addition to the $1 million donation made to Hurricane Katrina relief programs by Allianz, the parent company of Fireman's Fund.
The purpose of the long-term relief efforts spearheaded by Fireman's Fund is to help volunteer, combination and career fire departments rebuild and fully recover from the storm damage. Similar to residential homes and commercial buildings, many fire stations in the affected region suffered damage and lost valuable equipment. Although this damage is still being assessed, this program aims to fill the funding gap that may exist after insurance claims have been paid, federal aid has been received and other resources have been exhausted.
Members of the advisory committee include fire service leaders Ronny J. Coleman (former state fire marshal of California), Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder (Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, Ohio), Chief Jeff Meston (Novato, Calif.), Chief Dennis Rubin (Atlanta), Heather Schafer (Washington, D.C.), Chief Ronald Jon Siarnicki (Emmitsburg, Md.), Chief Larry Trujillo (Denver) and Chief Bruce Varner (Santa Rosa, Calif.). The advisory committee will also provide ongoing guidance for the Fireman's Fund Heritage(SM) program.
The company's support of fire departments affected by Hurricane Katrina is expected to go well beyond the $250,000 commitment. For the remainder of this year and into 2006, a portion of future grants nominated by Fireman's Fund employees through the Fireman's Fund Heritage(SM) program will go to the rebuilding efforts of individual fire departments based in the Gulf. Employees also plan to conduct localized fundraising efforts in support of this cause, and the proceeds will be matched by Fireman's Fund.
