Fireman's Fund Offers Firefighter Grants

NU Online News Service, April 7, 4:07 p.m.EDT?Fireman's Fund Insurance Company said it is offeringmore than $1 million in grants this year to fire departments andfire-and-burn-prevention organizations in San Diego County,Calif.[@@]

Yesterday the insurer gave out $500,000 to area departments.

The company said the grants are the first in a plannednationwide initiative by the Fireman's Fund to help provideequipment, training and fire prevention tools for local firedepartments. The money comes from part of Fireman's Fund Heritage,a corporate giving program.

The Novato, Calif.-based Fireman's Fund, a unit of Germaninsurance giant Allianz, chose San Diego for its initial grantprogram because of the firefighting needs in the area and alsobecause of the company's strong local base of employees, agents andcustomers, according to the insurer.

To commemorate the launch, Fireman's Fund Chief Executive JeffPost yesterday presented the first grants of some $500,000 to localSan Diego fire departments.

"Fireman's Fund and its employees in San Diego are excited tosupport the community by partnering with firefighters to help theregion become more fire and burn safe," said Mr. Post.

"Firefighters devote their lives to keeping all of us safe. Wehope that Fireman's Fund Heritage will help make their jobs alittle easier," he remarked.

Fireman's Fund offers specialized personal?focusing on wealthyindividuals?and business insurance throughout the country. Productsinclude auto, special events, home, liability and valuablepossessions coverage. Additionally, the company's affiliatesFireman's Fund AgriBusiness and Fireman's Fund McGee MarineUnderwriters provide crop and marine insurance.