NFPA and State Farm Announce Winners of 2017 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Project Awards

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., March 21 -- State Farm Companies, an auto, home and individual life insurance provider, issued the following news release:

At a time when wildfires are causing more damage to homes and businesses each year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and State Farm(TM) are helping communities take steps toward safety with the fourth national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event (Preparedness Day) on May 6, 2017. Thanks to the generous support from State Farm, 150 communities will receive project funding awards to support activities aimed at reducing potential loss of life, property and natural resources to wildfire.

Recent wildfire events make the need for Preparedness Day clearer than ever before. Last year, 14 people lost their lives in Tennessee wildfires that burned more than 2,400 structures. During the past month, wind-driven wildfires across the Southeast and the Plains states have resulted in widespread damage, firefighter injuries, and the deaths of local residents. Preparedness Day is a reminder that there are many things we can do to be prepared for wildfire. The event serves as means to inspire and encourage residents to take the necessary action with regard to wildfire safety.

A total of 150 projects were selected from 420 entries that span 42 states and Washington, D.C. As a co-sponsor of Preparedness Day, State Farm, with its long history of providing proactive wildfire safety education to its policyholders in high-risk regions, is providing $500 each to help fund these winning community projects.

"Since NFPA and State Farm first partnered together on Preparedness Day, the number of entries has grown tremendously. We are pleased and encouraged to see these communities so dedicated to reducing the risk of wildfire in their area," said Vickie Hodges, P&C underwriting analyst. "For State Farm, the largest home insurer in the U.S., it is important to us to take a leadership role in helping homeowners stay safe and better protect their property."

To be eligible for an award, applicants provided a brief description of the proposed project and how the State Farm award would fund the project that will begin or be completed on May 6, 2017. Descriptions included how groups or individuals would work toward reducing the risk of wildfire or impact of a recent fire, and/or advance preparedness for wildfire in the community.

For more information about national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day and to see the list of winning projects and their locations, please visit www.wildfireprepday.org.

For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research and resources, please visit the NFPA press room (http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/news-and-media/press-room).

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