FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tyler Wolf

PHONE: 760-224-1498

Escondido Firefighters Help Collect Donations for the

San Diego County Burn Institute “Fill the Boot” Fund Drive

Escondido, CA – The annual San Diego Burn Institute “Fill the Boot” fund drive took place throughout San Diego County on Thursday, March 9. Escondido firefighters were at the intersections at Broadway & Hwy 78 and at Via Rancho Parkway & I-15 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and the generosity of the community was overwhelming!

This year, Plan 9 Alehouse partnered with the Escondido Firefighters to host a fundraiser event on Tuesday March 7 where cash and electronic donations for the Burn Institute were collected and a portion of the proceeds from sales that night were also donated.

The Escondido Fire Fighters Association has participated in the “Fill the Boot” fund drive for the Burn Institute for many years. Fire Fighter Paramedic Tyler Wolf said, “Escondido residents have always been very generous during this fund drive. This year, between the event at Plan 9 Alehouse and funds collected on March 9, our community donated $8,182! Donation are so important because the Burn Institute provides so many important programs in our community.”

Escondido Fire Chief Rick Vogt said, “No matter how contributions are given, the Burn Institute puts them to good use. The Burn Institute’s 23nd Annual Firefighter Boot Drive is the organization’s largest one-day fundraiser and all of the funds raised through the Boot Drive will stay locally here in San Diego County. Proceeds benefit the Burn Institute’s fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support services such as Camp Beyond the Scars for burn-injured children. This unique camp program has provided a safe place for hundreds of young burn survivors to share their experiences in a supportive and nurturing camp environment.” Chief Vogt added, “In fact, several children in Escondido attended the camp last year.”

The Burn Institute provides other valuable programs to the community such as:

• Youth Firesetter Intervention Program which uses evidence-based risk assessment tools and education to intervene in dangerous fire setting behavior and stop it at the source. This program is available in English and Spanish and is free of charge to residents in San Diego County. Each year, several children in Escondido are referred to this effective program.
• Fire Safe Kids education program for elementary school age children that is delivered at schools in partnership with local Fire Prevention officers. Thousands of children have been impacted by this program in Escondido.
• Fire Safe Senior program that provides free smoke alarms to homeowners 62 and over. More than 100 smoke alarms have been installed in senior citizen’s homes in Escondido over the past three years through this program.