Wells Fargo Insurance Reports $1 Million Milestone in Awards to the Fire Service [Professional Services Close – Up]

Wells Fargo Insurance - part of Wells Fargo & Company - announced it has awarded $7,499 to the Cordelia Fire Protection District in Fairfield, California, becoming the only broker to provide $1 million in grants to local fire departments and burn prevention organizations through the Heritage Program at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.

According to a release, this donation will help the Cordelia Fire District obtain rescue saws and communications equipment.

"We are very pleased Wells Fargo Insurance reached this milestone and is able to support the ongoing efforts of Fireman's Fund and its social mission to support firefighters for safer communities," said Laura Schupbach, executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo Insurance. "We value the hard work and unwavering commitment of our country's fire and rescue professionals and will continue to support our communities and their rescue teams."

To mark this milestone, Wells Fargo Insurance and Fireman's Fund will hold a presentation ceremony at the Cordelia Fire Protection District Station in Fairfield, California.

The company said this grant program is designed to provide life- saving equipment, firefighter training and community education tools to local fire departments across the nation. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman's Fund products, like Wells Fargo Insurance, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service. Since 2004, more than $29 million in grants have been awarded to 1,800 fire departments through this program.

"Local fire departments often struggle to purchase needed equipment and training and our company is committed to helping fill those gaps where we can," said Lori Fouche, president and CEO of Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. "Firefighters are our first line of defense in an emergency and if they're well prepared, that means our communities will be, too. We're pleased to partner with Wells Fargo Insurance to help fulfill the needs of the fire service."

Since 2005, Wells Fargo Insurance has made more than 80 financial contributions to assist over 70 individual fire departments in 19 states. Significant contributions included an $87,600 grant to the North Carolina Wesley Chapel Fire Department to purchase of a self- contained breathing apparatus recharging system and hydraulic extrication equipment, as well as a $55,000 grant to the Grossman Burn Centers in California to fund a fire and burn prevention program. In 2012, Wells Fargo Insurance has already provided a $10,091 grant to the Lanier County Fire and Rescue Department in Georgia for new fire truck, built by the Georgia Forestry Commission, and a grant for $5,406 to the El Dorado Hills Fire Department in California for radio communications equipment.

Wells Fargo Insurance is an insurance broker in the U.S.

((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected]))