Firefighters Give for Global Benefit
Firefighters Give for Global Benefit
05 May 2011
published by www.fireengineering.com
USA — The recent 11th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit held by the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) in Missoula, MT brought together wildfire professionals from throughout the world.
After-hours special events benefited three non-profit organizations at the local, national and international levels . “We had a great turnout of Association members for our presentations and demonstrations,”said IAWF President Chuck Bushey, “and we were pleased to generate financial support for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, the International Fire Relief Mission, and the local Museum of Mountain Flying, too.” The IAWF members generated donations during a silent auction and a showing of the classic 1952 movie; Red Skies of Montana.
The Safety Summit brought together firefighters, researchers, fire industry representatives and students around a theme of promoting the story of wildland fire safety by sharing personal experiences, research and emerging technology.
Fire related items donated by individuals and organizations from around the world were sold in a silent auction. Funds generated will go to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation based in Boise, ID, to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families. On April 5, the IAWF joined with the Museum of Mountain Flying and the International Fire Relief Mission (IFRM) at the historic Wilma Theatre for a special showing of the 1952 movie; Red Skies of
Montana . The movie, filmed in the local area, showcased wildland firefighting and smokejumping in a dramatization based on the tragic 1949 Mann Gulch fire. Money raised by the large turnout of enthusiastic viewers will enable the Museum of Mountain Flying to fund a 3D model of Mann Gulch as a backdrop to the actual plane that flew smokejumpers to the tragic fire.
Funds shared with the International Fire Relief Mission will provide assistance from the IAWF for Relief Mission work overseas. The IRFM provides humanitarian aid to fire and EMS first responders in developing countries by recycling serviceable fire fighting and EMS equipment.
