The Insurance Society of Philadelphia (ISOP), a nonprofit dedicated to education and professional development of insurance professionals, presented Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Derrick Sawyer with a check early this month for $81,600 to support the department’s fire prevention programs.

To date, the programs have contributed to the city's low number of fire-related deaths, according to Mayor Michael Nutter.

ISOP Executive Director Beth Graber said that her organization enjoys a longstanding partnership with the Philadelphia Fire Department.

“During [IICF's] Week of Giving this past fall, we were thrilled to be joined by Fire Commissioner Sawyer in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, where ISOP members volunteered to install smoke detectors in residents’ homes. As winter approaches the risk of fire increases. This donation will allow the department to continue to provide smoke detectors and resources for residents to learn about fire safety and avoid fire incidents,” she said.

The check was presented on Dec. 16. ISOP has raised more than $231,600 for the Citizens for Fire Prevention Committee Fund in the past three years.

As part of ISOP’s 23rd Independence Gala held on Nov. 12 in downtown Philadelphia, members participated in a Text-to-Pledge Campaign, raising more than $50,000 for the Fire Department’s fire prevention efforts. In addition, ISOP honored Independence Blue Cross President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty with the Distinguished Leadership Award, which included $10,000 to be given to a charity of his choice. Hilferty tripled the amount, adding it to ISOP’s donation.

The Fire Department plans to use the donations to purchase and install 10-year, lithium-powered smoke alarms. Since 2012, fire department units have installed over 45,577 smoke alarms into 18,542 homes in Philadelphia.

The Citizens for Fire Prevention Committee Fund, a 501(c)3, collaborates with the Fire Department’s partners in the business, educational and healthcare sectors to educate the public in order to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage caused by fire.

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Philly insurance group donates more than $80K to prevent fires

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