Fire Chief Helps to Launch Nationwide Safety Campaign

Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor

On November 1, fire industry organizations, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Help the Good Guys, will join one of the leading manufacturers of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and fire extinguishers at the 46th annual Country Music Association show (CMA) in Nashville to launch the Be a Hero, Save a Hero^SM campaign. 

Prince George’s County, Maryland, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor is just one of about a dozen fire service leaders from across the Country invited to the launch of this new program.  Fire Chief Bashoor will attend a press event Thursday morning to kick off the nationwide initiative, which will educate Americans on the simple steps they can take to help protect their family from a fire and reduce the risks for firefighters. Joining Bashoor will be leaders from local and state level, as well as national representatives of firefighters, fire chiefs and fire marshals.  Later that evening, Fire Chief Bashoor will once again join his fellow fire service comrades to walk the "red carpet" and attend country musics biggest night; the CMA Awards!!!

Bucky Covington, a former American Idol contestant and rising country music star, is teaming with the groups on a public service announcement about the pledge. The PSA will premiere during the CMA Awards show that evening. Covington is the spokesperson for and an active supporter of Help the Good Guys, a non-profit organization that provides financial support for injured fire fighters and their families. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) endorses this program. The "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" pledge asks consumers to ensure their home has enough up-to-date and working smoke alarms and to have and practice a home fire escape plan.

For each person who takes the pledge, a donation from the alarm manufacturer will be made to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Help the Good Guys, up to $10,000 to each organization. By taking the simple online pledge, consumers will know the steps to help be fire safe, and significantly increase the chance that they will have enough time to escape their house should a fire occur. We hope you will help raise awareness about this initiative. To share the pledge with your communities, direct them to www.alarmpledge.com.

Country fans should keep an eye for Fire Chief Bashoor and other fire service leaders as they will walk the red carpet on Thursday evening.