Relief funds from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) reach firefighters in need. Jim Williams and Ed Carpenter of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) donated $25,000 NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund. Several other state fire associations, individual donors and corporations have donated more than $200,000 to the NVFC's relief efforts.

The NVFC is pleased to announce that in its efforts to provide assistance to volunteer firefighters affected by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, more than $200,000 has been raised through its two relief funds. The "NVFC Emergency Relief Fund" was created to provide assistance to volunteer and combination fire departments for equipment and facility repair and replacement. The "NVFC's Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund" offers aid to individual volunteer firefighters and their families who have suffered tragic losses.

The NVFC's Emergency Relief Fund and the Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund have received donations not only from individuals and businesses but from townships, schools and fire departments as well. Many fire departments organized "boot drives" to raise money where they encourage people to fill a boot with donations. The NVFC's two funds have also received generous donations from many state firefighters' associations including Alabama, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington. NVFC's relief efforts have been supported by international firefighters' organizations as well. On a recent visit to the United States, the Japan Firefighter's Association presented a donation of $5,000 for the NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund.

To date, both funds have generated over $100,000 each, and more donations are received every day. "The NVFC will continue to offer its support to volunteer firefighters and departments in the Gulf Coast," said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. "In the wake of these natural disasters, we remain committed to helping volunteer firefighters rebuild not only their departments, but their lives as well."

Donations from the NVFC's Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund have already begun to reach volunteer firefighters in need of assistance. To date, the NVFC has dispersed approximately 400 checks in the amount of $250 each to volunteer firefighters in the Gulf Coast. The names are verified and submitted by NVFC's contacts in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and checks are issued on a first come, first serve basis. The NVFC plans to disperse more checks to volunteer firefighters as donations are received.

All donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.nvfc.org, or mailed to the addresses below:

NVFC Emergency Relief Fund
P.O. Box 223202
Chantilly, VA 20153

or to

NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund
P.O. Box 222061
Chantilly, VA 20153-2061

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is a non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services. Established in 1976, the NVFC serves as the information source regarding legislation, standards and regulatory issues. For more information regarding the NVFC Hurricane Relief funds or NVFC in general, please contact Ms. Heather Schafer at 202-887-5700 ext. 17 or vai E-Mail at hschafer@nvfc.org.