Over the last several years, funding for the primary GRFD fire prevention programs has not been guaranteed or consistent so the GRFD Fire Prevention Foundation was formed to make sure crucial fire safety programs are consistently and properly funded.
The fiduciary responsibility of the GRFD Fire Prevention Foundation is to make sure there are no gaps in funding on crucial fire safety initiatives, so the GRFD can build momentum with confidence that their programs can continue to grow and serve the people of Grand Rapids.
The foundation will approve funds to be distributed when the initiative would not otherwise be funded and falls into one of three areas of impact, enhance public safety, help the GRFD operate more efficiently, or enhance community relations.
The main program that will receive most of the supplemental funding from the GRFD Fire Prevention Foundation is the GRFD’s Community Education and Engagement Team, which is made up of the Residential Safety Program, Smokehouse, and Fire Safety Education programs. These programs provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, elementary education programs, community fire safety programs, and home safety assessments. We want to make sure these programs are always properly funded and can continue to grow and expand to have a greater impact in Grand rapids.
The GRFD has provided free education and smoke detectors for years, and their proactive efforts have undoubtedly saved lives and homes in Grand Rapids. However, despite their work, some homes in the city still lack smoke detectors, and preventable fires continue to harm people.
The issue is more complex than it seems. The obstacles to fire safety are deeper than we realize. Even with free education and smoke detectors, catastrophic fires persist. People might not be seeking help for various reasons. There are hidden barriers preventing people from knowing about and engaging with these programs.
Founder // John Grace
"One evening, I saw a local news segment reporting a high number of people were getting hurt in home fires in Grand Rapids. I reached out to the GRFD to get more information and found out that most of the fires were preventable, and most of the people getting hurt did not have any working smoke detectors. I knew at that moment that I wanted to help."
Chief Transformation Officer // Health Alliance Plan
"I am part of the GRFD Prevention Foundation because I lost my husband and son in 2011 in a house fire at our home. I would like to be a part of not having that happen to anyone else. "
Shareholder - Tax // Doeren Mayhew
"I joined the board because my family has been directly impacted by a house fire. Being a board member is one small contribution I can make to the members of the community in which I work to ensure they never have to experience such a tragedy."
Founding Principal Architect // Spark 43 Architects
"Through our work with John Grace we have been witnesses to the impact residential structure fires have on our community first hand. Understanding that the difference between life and death in a fire is often determined by a working smoke detector, we were compelled to help the board and the GRFD provide free resources to the community in an effort to end fire related fatalities in Grand Rapids."
Event Coordinator // The City of Grand Rapids
With a GRFD family background, it's important to me to be involved in my own way and continue to impact the community in ways that can save lives.
President // The Brouwers Agency
"As an insurance agent in Grand Rapids, fire prevention and education impacts my daily life. Any work we can do to lessen tragedies related to fire is work worth doing."
Your donation to the GRFD Fire Prevention Foundation benefits the whole community, and for some Grand Rapids families it will be a life changing gift. The Foundation is dedicated to making our community safer by preventing fires, safeguarding people, property, and the environment.
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Address:
38 LaGrave
Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
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