FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Lt. Bob Dunn (714) 497-6330; Denise King, SoCalGas (877) 643-2331
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY JOINS ANAHEIM FIRE & RESCUE ENCOURAGING ANAHEIM YOUTH TO WEAR YOUR HELMET LIKE A PRO
ANAHEIM, Calif. (August 15, 2014) –Anaheim Fire Chief Randy R. Bruegman and Jennifer Vaughn, public affairs manager at Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), together with local Anaheim children recently gathered to highlight SoCalGas’ $5,000 donation to Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s Wear Your Helmet Like A Pro initiative.
Anaheim firefighters were also on hand to remind the youth that safety helmets are a core piece of their fire gear as well.
“Southern California Gas Company’s commitment to our youth is to be applauded,” said Anaheim Fire Chief Randy R. Bruegman. “Our firefighters and SoCalGas’ personnel recognize that helmet safety is imperative to preventing major injuries. Thanks to them, hundreds of Anaheim youth will now be protected from serious head trauma.”
“Safety always comes first at SoCalGas. It is a core value that we demonstrate through action and investment,” said Jennifer Vaughn, public affairs manager at SoCalGas. “We’re proud to support Anaheim Fire and Rescue and the Wear Your Helmet Like A Pro program. Whether it’s working on a natural gas line or riding a bicycle to school, protecting your head by wearing a helmet is a simple, smart and inexpensive investment that pays dividends for a lifetime.”
Wear Your Helmet Like A Pro initiative promotes the use of helmets by children ages 5 to 14 to reduce the risk of head injuries when riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, etc. The campaign includes public service announcements and autographed posters featuring Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Hank Conger, Anaheim Ducks Cam Fowler and Anaheim Firefighters wearing their helmets to encourage Anaheim’s youth to follow suit.
As children from kindergarten to 9th grade return to their classrooms in the coming weeks, Anaheim Fire & Rescue will again partner with the city’s seven school districts to promote the program. Additional helmets and posters will be distributed to each district for school officials to encourage children to wear helmets in a way that is most meaningful for their own student body. Just like the professionals, students are encouraged to autograph
the poster and pledge to wear their helmets when enjoying the outdoors. Helmets have also been distributed to each of the 11 Anaheim Fire Stations for fire personnel to interact with their local community members. When a fire professional spots a youth riding without a helmet, they are able to offer the youth a helmet and make a personal connection.
Initial funding has been made possible thanks to an initial grant from CITA Insurance Services and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, along with assistance from The Disneyland Resort. With additional donations from major companies such as Southern California Gas Company, Anaheim Fire Chief Bruegman hopes to have more helmets available to protect Anaheim’s youth. To learn more about the Wear Your Helmet Like A Pro please visit www.anaheim.net/fire. Companies and individuals interested making a donation can visit Anaheim Community Foundation at www.anaheimcf.org/donate.
###
425 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805 | 714-765-1521 Fax: 714-765-1554
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
Randy R. Bruegman, Fire Chief