FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lisa Palmer, Administrative Manager Escondido Fire Department, 760-839-5407, or
Rachel Clark, Media Contact, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, 415-899-3027, rachel.clark@ffin.com
The Escondido Fire Department is pleased to announce a grant partnership with BB&T Insurance Services and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company for the purchase of Auto Extraction Air Bags.
Semi-tractor trailers travel up and down Interstate 15 nearly 24 hours a day. They haul gasoline, food, clothes, just about anything that goes on a store shelf. And when a big rig truck is involved in a crash or flips over, trying to move a vehicle, which weighs several tons is nearly impossible without the right equipment.
BB&T Insurance Services is partnering with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to donate $7,855 to Escondido Fire Department to fund lift bags to enable firefighters to raise a vehicle in order to gain access to a victim that may be trapped underneath.
The lift bags are made up of several highly durable air cushions. During an incident, each one is placed under the vehicle and then slowly inflated to lift wreckage just enough to pull a victim to safety. The air cushions are designed to move a vehicle weighing up to 10 tons.
“We are extremely excited to receive this life saving equipment that will enable us to access and extricate accident victims much more quickly,” said Fire Chief Michael Lowry.
Escondido Fire Department officials, firefighters, and executives from BB&T Insurance Services and Fireman’s Fund will come together for a special public event where the grant package will be presented and the new equipment demonstrated on a wrecked car on:
Date / Time Location
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Cardinal Auto Wrecking
10:30 a.m. 725 Rock Springs Road, Escondido, CA 92025
The grant is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire department and burn prevention organizations. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to more than 1,800 different organizations totaling more than $29 million. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like BB&T Insurance Services, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.
Through this program, BB&T Insurance Services has directed over $280,000 in grants to fire departments nationwide.
“It is critically important that our local firefighters have the proper equipment needed to perform rescues in any situation,” said Jim Bayne, area president of BB&T Insurance Services. “We’re proud to be able to help in such a tangible way, knowing so many people will benefit from the donation.”
To visit Fireman’s Fund’s “Supporting Firefighters” Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/SupportingFirefighters
About BB&T Insurance Services
BB&T Insurance Services is the sixth largest insurance agency in the world. They work with individuals, families, small business owners, Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits across the country. For additional information, visit www.insurance.bbt.com
About Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
Founded in 1863, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal and commercial insurance products backed by industry-leading claims and risk management solutions. Fireman’s Fund is a leader in high-net-worth, entertainment, and green insurance. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group, one of the world’s largest providers of property and casualty insurance, ranked 27th on Fortune’s Global 500 list of the world’s largest corporations. For additional information, visit www.firemansfund.com
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