Every day firefighters put their lives on the line to save people and property. Many of these firefighters are volunteers, so let's "pay" them by showing our appreciation, thanking them for the valuable service they provide, and letting them know that we are very aware of the significant positive impact they have on our communities. Firefighters, whether paid or not, make an incredible difference in our lives—so let's make a difference in theirs.

Read Keisha Whitaker's blog!


TAKE ACTION TODAY

1. When you see firefighters in uniform, walk up and thank them for keeping you and your community safe.
2. Get out of the way. Pull your car to the right when you hear a siren or see a fire truck with its lights on.
3. Organize your friends, co-workers, neighborhood, or child's class to create and deliver a thank-you card to your local fire station.
4. Donate to firefighter benefits and causes.
5. Minimize your risk of fires—install smoke detectors, keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, don't overload power plugs, clear brush from around your house, and don't flick your cigarette butts.

FACTS

• There are over 1,149,000 firefighters.
• 72% of firefighters are volunteers with 70% or more of fire departments staffed 100% by volunteers.
• More than 118 firefighters die in the line of duty each year.
• 1.6 million or more fires are reported annually.
• Fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined, with over 4,000 deaths annually.
• The U.S. has one of the highest rates of death due to fire in the industrialized world.