Initiatives
The mission of the Cincinnati Fire Foundation (CFF) is to support the Cincinnati Fire Department (CFD), as well as other fire/rescue departments and other incorporated public safety organizations in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area. Such support may include, but not be limited to the purchase and/or maintenance of equipment and vehicles, providing funds for professional education forums and training of fire-fighting personnel, providing funds for the promotion of fire prevention and general safety training and material for the general public, as well as for other designated needs as determined by Cincinnati Fire Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Fire Department Equipment
Fire department budgets are under pressure throughout the country. Yet old equipment needs to be repaired and new equipment needs to be purchased. For example, infra-red cameras cost in excess of $10,000 each. A “Lifepack 15” used in the emergency care of heart patients costs $25,000 each. A simulator for teaching individuals in the safe operation of apparatus costs $80,000. Software to assist paramedics in maintaining their certification costs $100,000 a year to maintain. The Cincinnati Fire Foundation seeks corporate interest in helping to sponsor, support and maintain these and similar initiatives.
TEMPUS PRO
The Foundation secured a $100,000 grant from Western & Southern Financial for the purchase of TEMPUS Pro portable patient monitoring and life-support equipment. These units used by the military in Afghanistan are compact state of the art devices that allow direct voice and video communications from the field to the emergency department at University Hospital. Presently the Cincinnati Fire Department is the first and only fire department in the U.S. to have this advanced technology. The CFD recently upgraded the advanced life support feature, which allows these units to work seamlessly on the Emergency Medical Bike Unit (EMBU).
Fire Boat
The U.S. Coast Guard no longer has a base in the Cincinnati area. The CFD is responsible for providing water rescue for 27 miles along the Ohio River. The Foundation raised over $2500,000 to help replace Boat 3, used to fight watercraft fires and to search and rescue victims.
Fire Training Center
The Cincinnati Fire Foundation in cooperation with the Cincinnati Rotary Foundation secured more than $20,000 to obtain audio visual equipment for the new fire training classrooms at the Cincinnati Fire Department’s regional “Burn Building”.
Continuing Education
The Foundation is currently soliciting funds to provide specialized training to certain Cincinnati firefighters. These funds would be utilized to pay for transportation, room, board, and fees associated with obtaining the required certifications.
Emergency Medical Bike Unit (EMBU)
Most recently, the CFF has outfitted the Cincinnati Fire Department with the EMBU, or Emergency Medical Bike Unit. These bikes have the same medical equipment as first responder vehicles, but are easier to navigate through a large crowd. With the recent addition of 10 members who passed their training with flying colors, the total count of certified EMBU staff is now up to 35 people. The EMBU will be out in full force at local events such as football games, concerts, soccer games, and festivals. For an example of how the EMBU works at a large event, click here.
Safe Summer Nights
The Foundation assisted in obtaining more than $25,000 for the purchase of smoke detectors that are distributed free of charge to anyone visiting a fire house that requests a detector for their residence.
The Hearing and Visually Impaired
If you are unable to see or hear, conventional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are of little value. The Foundation is currently seeking funds to purchase equipment that will provide early warning to those people unable to obtain this expensive equipment.
Fire Prevention and Safety Training
A week long program conducted by the Cincinnati Fire Prevention Bureau at the Rothenberg Academy of the Cincinnati Public Schools. The foundation provided over 400 smoke detectors for distribution to the students to take home on completion of the program. One of the Foundation’s goals is to expand this program in other public schools.
Faces Without Places
Funding was provided for a day long “safety camp” for children who are homeless. Materials purchased included safety vests, hats, and water safety items that were distributed to each child.
color guard
Funding was provided to equip the color guard with new flags and equipment used in support of special functions and programs throughout the city of Cincinnati.
Kids Safety Fair
In May each year, the Cincinnati Fire Department hosts an annual safety fair for children in partnership with State Farm Insurance and the Cincinnati Fire Foundation – the Cincinnati Fire Department along with other Fire & Police Departments and local agencies educate children on fire and the dangers of carbon monoxide, as well as the importance of bicycle and water safety. Over 3,500 students from several Cincinnati Public & parochial schools attend. Students tour the Safety Awareness & Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) House, see puppet shows, clowns and tour various safety vehicles throughout the day.
These are only a few examples of the programs and needs that the Cincinnati Fire Foundation supports. Since 2010, the foundation has participated in raising more than $275,000 to fund our projects. In each case it takes an individual’s financial support, a grant from a foundation, or the adoption of a program by a corporation to assist the foundation in completing our mission. Included under the “Our Sponsors” tab is a partial listing of those companies, foundations and individuals that support the work of the Cincinnati Fire Foundation.