JONES COUNTY FIRE COUNCIL JOINS “POWER THOSE WHO PROTECT US” PROGRAM
TO BUILD GREATER AWARENESS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS NEEDS
Duracell and the National Volunteer Fire Council Launch Battery Donation Program Nationwide
The eighteen Jones County volunteer fire departments plus Ellisville Fire Department that are members of the Jones County Fire Council today joined forces with more than 23,000 other volunteer fire departments across the country in the Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program created by Duracell, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council. The program helps build greater awareness around the challenges volunteer firefighters face on a daily basis and the need to help support them. Most fire departments in the U.S. are staffed by volunteer firefighters who rely on approximately 20 percent of their funding to come from local fundraising and donations.*
The Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program lets consumers give back to local volunteer firefighters, like those in Jones County who devote countless hours of their free time to protecting our communities. When consumers purchase specially marked CopperTop battery packs, Duracell will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to help power communication devices and life-saving
equipment. By going to www.duracell.com/protect, donations can also be earmarked to local departments by zip code.
“The majority of fire departments in the U.S. are being staffed by volunteer firefighters, many of which, like us, lack enough funding for basic equipment needs,” said Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna. “We’re asking everyone to help make a difference and purchase specially marked Duracell batteries so our stations can receive much needed support to power our communication devices. From personal alert system devices, thermal imaging cameras and personnel location equipment, to radios and flashlights – batteries help power these critical tools.” For more information about Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us program, please visit www.duracell.com/protect.
Jones County volunteer fire and rescue departments include:
District 1 – Calhoun, Hebron, Pleasant Ridge, Soso
District 2 – Shady Grove, Sharon
District 3 – Rustin, Sandersville
District 4 – Glade, M&M, Powers
District 5 – Johnson, Moselle, Ovett, Union
District 6 – Boggy, South Jones, Southwest Jones
Plus, Ellisville Fire Department which is a combination career and volunteer fire department
About Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us Program
Duracell’s Power Those Who Protect Us donation program lets consumers give back to the selfless heroes who devote their time to protect their communities. When a consumer purchases specially-marked CopperTop battery packs, Duracell, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council, will make a battery donation to volunteer fire departments to power communication devices and life-saving equipment.
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. Organized in 1976, the NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer fire and emergency services in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Each state firefighter’s association elects a representative to the NVFC Board of Directors.
*Source: FEMA US Fire Administration 2005, Survey of the Needs of US Fire Service