Fire Critic An Unadulterated View of the Fire Service
This is from my continued coverage of Fire Rescue International last week. You can read more posts related to FRI 2011 here.
Matt Blakely, director, Motorola Solutions Foundation presented a $1 million grant to Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) during a ceremony today at Fire Station 11 in Atlanta.
Atlanta, GA – (August 25, 2011) A $1 million grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation honors the nation’s fallen firefighters and will improve firefighter safety. Representatives from Motorola Solutions presented the grant to Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, at the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s Fire Station 11. Both organizations are in Atlanta for the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ annual Fire Rescue International conference. The money will support the Motorola Solutions Foundation Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Everyone Goes Home® Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. Both are programs of the NFFF.
“The Motorola Solutions Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation over the years, and we are grateful for their commitment to our mission to honor the fallen heroes and their families,” said Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “This generous grant enables the survivors of the fallen to further their educational goals and fulfill dreams that they may otherwise have to postpone. It also assists the Foundation in our efforts to reduce line-of-duty deaths and injuries through the Everyone Goes Home® Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.”
“This funding is the next evolution of the long-standing support and commitment by Motorola Solutions Foundation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the American fire service,” said Matthew Blakely, director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “For more than 70 years, Motorola has been a proud supplier and supporter of the American fire service, providing mission critical communications for our nation’s first responders. On behalf of Motorola Solutions employees, we salute our nation’s fire service and pay tribute to the fallen firefighters who have given the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities. Motorola Solutions is privileged to team with the NFFF and assist the survivors of our fallen fire service heroes.”
The attendees stood in ovation for the award by Motorola.
The Motorola Solutions Foundation Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to children, stepchildren, adopted children, spouses and life partners of firefighters who died in the line of duty. The scholarships focus on science, technology, engineering and math and are awarded annually for full- or part-time study at accredited colleges, universities or vocational institutions.
The Everyone Goes Home® Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives program is designed to change the culture of accepting the loss of firefighters as a normal occurrence. This is achieved through education and training of fire service personnel and leadership. The program was developed following the 2004 Firefighter Life Safety Summit.
In addition, Motorola Solutions is a top sponsor of the National Fallen Firefighters Annual Memorial Weekend and other programs and fundraising events during the year that support the Foundation’s efforts. Motorola Solutions Foundation and Motorola Solutions partner in their desire to support the wonderful efforts of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the American Fire Service.
