$10,000 Helps Replace Wildland Gear Destroyed by Tornado
JOPLIN, Mo. (Dec. 12, 2011) – The tornado that hit Joplin in May caused unimaginable devastation throughout the community. Not only were homes, schools and a major hospital damaged and destroyed, the fire department also suffered significant loss. Two fire stations including most of the equipment were destroyed and four fire trucks were lost.
The Leavitt Group is partnering with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to donate $10,000 to the Joplin Fire Department to purchase equipment for fighting wildland fires, including two heavy-duty electric winches, two backpack blowers, emergency scene lighting, and four sets of coats, pants and helmets. The owner of the local IHOP restaurant that was destroyed in the tornado was instrumental in letting Leavitt know about the needs of the department.
“This grant has helped us restore our wildland firefighting capabilities,” said Fire Chief Mitch Randles. “We’re so thankful for the support. It helps us achieve our main mission — serving and protecting the Joplin community.”
On December 14th at noon fire department officials, firefighters, executives from the Leavitt Group and Fireman’s Fund, and the local IHOP will come together at the Joplin Fire Department for a special public event where the grant package will be presented.
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 nearly 1,800 different organizations totaling more than $28 million. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like the Leavitt Group, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.
The Leavitt Group has directed more than $160,000 nationwide in grants supporting firefighters.
“We can’t think of a better way to support the firefighters in Joplin,” said Andy Pettise of the Leavitt Group. “The sooner the department can replace equipment lost in the tornado, the sooner they will be back to providing the high level of service to the community they did prior to the disaster.”
To visit Fireman’s Fund’s “Supporting Firefighters” Facebook page, go to http://www.facebook.com/SupportingFirefighters.
About Leavitt Group
The Leavitt Group, founded in 1952, is one of the largest insurance brokerages in the United States. It is an organization of affiliated independent insurance agencies with over 115 locations across the country and approximately $2 billion in annualized premiums. Leavitt Group affiliates are able to provide effective, sophisticated and creative risk management and risk transfer solutions to all types of businesses. For more information, visit http://www.leavitt.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 http://www.firemansfund.com/.
