EMS Grants Announcements

The National Volunteer Fire Council

There is still time to apply for a 2009 National Junior Firefighter Program grant. Ten $5,000 grants, made possible by the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins® Community Foundation, will be awarded to departments nationwide whose junior firefighter program or Explorer post demonstrates exceptional innovation, creativity, and community impact. The grant application and criteria are available on the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) web site at www.nvfc.org/juniors. Applications must be received by 5pm EDT on August 15.

NVFC member departments who have had a junior firefighter program for at least three years are encouraged to apply for this competitive grant. If your department is not an NVFC member, join at www.nvfc.org/membership. Grants are to be used to help further develop or expand an existing junior firefighter program or Explorer post. Recipients will be selected based on program innovation and impact and financial need. For full program criteria and to download the application, visit www.nvfc.org/juniors.

The NVFC has also partnered with Baskin-Robbins to provide ten $5,000 scholarships to outstanding junior firefighters who demonstrate commitment and dedication to their local junior firefighter program and the fire and emergency services. Visit www.nvfc.org/juniors for more information about this year's recipients.

Apply for a department grant by August 15 at www.nvfc.org/juniors. Learn more about the National Junior Firefighter Program at www.nvfc.org/juniors.

About the NVFC and National Junior Firefighter Program
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. The NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program provides departments and youth with the resources, tools, and information they need to help develop, grow, enhance, promote, and participate in a local junior firefighter program. The program addresses retention and recruitment challenges by getting youth involved in the fire and emergency services, thus fostering a lifelong connection with the emergency services that will continue throughout their adulthood. Learn more at www.nvfc.org. 

About Baskin-Robbins
Named the top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine's 29th annual Franchise 500® ranking, Baskin-Robbins is the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium ice cream, specialty frozen desserts, and beverages, providing quality and value to consumers at more than 6,000 retail shops in 35 countries. Baskin-Robbins was founded by two ice cream enthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,000 ice cream flavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin' Brands, Inc. family of companies. For further information, visit www.baskinrobbins.com.

About the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation
The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including our Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins franchisees, crew members and employees, to support those who serve in our communities. The focus of the Foundation is emergency response organizations and child-related causes. The goal of the Foundation is to help ensure that those heroes we depend on during a disaster have what they need to rise to any occasion, and to make a positive impact on the lives of children in the communities that we serve. To learn more about the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/foundation.