Just in time for Fire Prevention Week, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), State Farm has awarded $1 million in grants to help local fire departments obtain needed equipment to increase their responders’ safety, effectiveness and ability to serve their community.

With this grant, Stockdale VFD will be able to purchase 10 sets of water rescue gear, a water rescue transport sled for on their rescue jet ski, and a water rescue raft. Due to our large coverage area of the Monongahela River, we have noticed an increase in river rescue calls, so we recently purchased a water rescue jet ski craft to use for a rapid response to emergencies on the river. With our population utilizing the river for recreational purposes, as well as the river being a transport river for barges, we have become more prepared to handle these types of emergencies. What we are getting is a three-point connected rescue board that is towed behind the watercraft. Although rescuing victims from the water can easily be achieved with a standard PWC, a rescue board makes it much easier. The towed rescue board makes a fast and efficient rescue platform for picking up conscious or unconscious victims and deploying rescuers. With this grant, we are also able to purchase additional equipment & PPE for our firefighters to use and wear on these specialized extrication incidents, including 10 sets of personal flotation devices, and a rapid extrication transport sled/raft.
By being awarded this grant, we will be able to not only protect our fire personnel with state-of-the-art personal flotation devices we will also be able to utilize the equipment to transport any injured person safely and efficiently using both pieces of water rescue apparatus that is in our fleet.
“Our firefighters work hard to protect our community – helping their neighbors on their worst day. It is critical that we are able to provide these dedicated volunteers with the tools and resources they need to do their job safely and effectively,” TJ Wilkinson, Chief of department. “Thanks to this donation from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council, we will be better equipped and prepared so we can respond at our best.”

This is the inaugural year of the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in protecting communities across the country, especially small towns and rural areas. However, they often operate on tight budgets and struggle to find the funding for needed equipment. In collaboration with the NVFC, State Farm aimed to award 50 grants to local fire departments. However, the overwhelming response prompted State Farm to double its commitment to 100 grants, benefiting even more local departments and communities.
State Farm also provided all applicants with a membership to the NVFC – the leading association representing the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services – so they have access to additional tools, resources, and training to help them thrive.

Learn more about the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program at www.nvfc.org/statefarm.

About State Farm
For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its more than 19,400 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 91 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 39 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

About the National Volunteer Fire Council
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.