Chrysler LLC also donates commemorative challenge coins and Accountability
System to its Hometown Heroes - Detroit's Firefighters
DETROIT, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive year,
Chrysler LLC will demonstrate its support and respect for its hometown
heroes -- Detroit's firefighters -- as part of the North American
International Auto Show press days.
During the Auto Show, the Detroit Fire Department Headquarters, across
from Cobo Center, is renamed The Chrysler Firehouse. To kick-off the
festivities at The Firehouse, the Company recognizes the Detroit
Firefighters and includes them in its charitable giving.
Last night, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli presented a donation
for $25,000 toward the restoration of the Fallen Firefighters' Memorial on
behalf of The Chrysler Foundation. Traditionally, firefighters who died in
the line of duty were carried to their final resting place on a fire
apparatus. However, modern-day vehicles loaded with firefighting equipment,
lack the space to allow them a role in this ritual. To continue this
tradition, the Detroit Fire Department will restore a 1937 Seagrave Safety
Sedan, a back-in- the-day fire pumper that carried firefighters to the
rescue, and use it as a hearse.
Chrysler also donated commemorative challenge coins and an
Accountability System for all emergency responders located throughout the
Detroit Fire Department. Combined, the donation's total value is nearly
$65,000.
"At Chrysler, we do a great deal to make our cars and trucks the stars
of the auto show press events," said Nardelli. "But tonight, the stars are
the heroes who put their lives on the line every day for the citizens of
Detroit. Speaking on behalf of all of us at Chrysler, it is an honor to be
associated with the Detroit Fire Department and to show our support for
everything they do."
More than 1,500 employees of the Detroit Fire Department -- civilian
and uniform -- will now have a commemorative coin donated on behalf of
Chrysler. The Accountability System will be used by all 41 firehouses
across the city.
The significance of the challenge coin dates back to World War I when
the coins were created by an officer and presented to his squad as mementos
of their service together. As years have passed, the coins have represented
membership in armed forces, police and fire departments and also used as
morale boosters.
The Accountability System includes a Command Board, a Sector Board and
Accountability Tags. This equipment enables firefighters to gather
information like hydrant location, street names and fire companies on the
scene. The system also helps the department keep track of manpower
deployment so that firefighters remain safe while fighting fires.
"Detroit's fallen heroes deserve a final ride on something as grand as
the Seagrave Safety Sedan," said Fred Anderson, President of the
Firefighter's Fund Association. "On behalf of the Detroit Fire department,
we thank The Chrysler Foundation for helping us restore this vehicle so
that we can honor our members on the last stop to their final resting
place."
"The challenge coins and the Accountability System are timely and
greatly appreciated," said Tyrone Scott, Fire Commissioner. "The
Accountability System will enable our firefighters to increase the number
of people we can keep safe and help them keep track of manpower deployment.
The new system will ensure that our brave men and women always have as much
information possible in order to save lives and keep themselves safe."
The 1937 Seagrave Safety Sedan will be on display at the Auto Show.
The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made
by Chrysler LLC. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable
organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and
culture, education, and youth development programs throughout the United
States and increasingly, the world. In 2007, The Chrysler Foundation's
charitable donations were approximately $21 million.
SOURCE Chrysler LLC
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Related links:
http://media.chrysler.com
http://www.chrysler.com/
CONTACT:
Curtrise Garner, +1-248-512-2712, cell,
+1-248-761-8309, cg61@chrysler.com, or David Elshoff,
+1-248-512-2690, cell, +1-248-797-2300, dte@chrysler.com
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