SMFD MEDIC BIKE TEAM
Residents and visitors of Santa Monica will be safer thanks to a $22,500 grant awarded by DeWitt Stern and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. The Santa Monica Fire Department is using the funds to help support its bike medic program.
During special events and large crowds emergency response can be difficult for first responders. This grant will help fund specially outfitted bicycles, uniforms, saddle bags and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) that allow trained EMS teams to respond to medical emergencies faster and keep participants safe. The AEDs are portable electronic devices that automatically diagnose potentially life-threatening cardiac events and use defibrillation to help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm.
It’s critical that our firefighters have the tools and training to provide the best service possible to the community,” said Captain Michael McElvaney. “We are extremely thankful for this grant. This truly enables us to provide an increased level of service to the community and our visitors.
Santa Monica Fire Department officials, firefighters, the “bike team,” and executives from DeWitt Stern and Fireman’s Fund came together for a special public event where the grant was presented at Santa Monica beach on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.
The grant is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. This year, Fireman’s Fund celebrates its 150th anniversary. Founded with a social mission to support the fire service, Fireman’s Fund today awards grants to fire service organizations for life-saving equipment, firefighter training and community education programs. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has awarded grants to more than 1,900 different organizations totaling more than $30 million – including more than $8.5 million in California. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like DeWitt Stern, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.
Through this program, DeWitt Stern has directed over $780,000 in grants to fire departments nationwide. “We are honored to support the Santa Monica Fire Department in such a meaningful way, knowing so many people will ultimately benefit from this program,” said John Hamby of DeWitt Stern. To learn more about the grant program and other grants awarded in California, visit www.firemansfund.com/heritage. To learn more about the rich history of Fireman’s Fund, visit www.firemansfund.com/timeline or www.firemansfund.com/film.
Fabian Lewkowicz
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