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Japan Firefighters Send Thank You to Relief Fund Supporters

Published Date: 08.23.2011

Japan Firefighters Association Chairman Toshifumi Akimoto sent a letter of thanks to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and all those who contributed to the NVFC’s International Relief Fund following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in the spring.

The relief fund raised $10,000 to benefit fallen and severely injured volunteer firefighters and their families in the wake of the disaster. In addition, Duracell, who has partnered with the NVFC for the Power Those Who Protect Us battery donation program for U.S. firefighters, donated 170,000 flashlights to the Japan Firefighters Association.

Following is the letter from Chairman Akimoto:

I would like to thank again for your great concern showed for us right after the earthquake disaster. We also received the donation assembled from firefighters over your country days ago. This donation will be used for supporting the families of those fallen volunteer firefighters in the East Japan Great Earthquake. We also deeply appreciate your effort on the relief goods as the 170,000 flashlights will soon arrive at the places deadly needed. Fortunately the reconstruction is being done step by step, and the country is on its way to rehabilitation.

With deep gratitude, we, Japan firefighters, express our sincere thanks to your association, and to all those who have ever supported us so far.

An earthquake and tsunami of unprecedented scale struck Japan, taking a great number of precious lives, among which about 250 volunteer firefighters lost their lives during their hard work in evacuating and rescuing the residents. We will learn lessons from this bitter experience to strengthen our fire service, build a country safe from disasters and contribute to regional rehabilitation.

Best regards,
Toshifumi AKIMOTO
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Japan Firefighters Association

The Japanese and U.S. fire services have a long history of collaboration and mutual support. The Japan Firefighters Association has assisted U.S. firefighters in times of need through donations to 9/11 relief efforts as well as contributions to the NVFC’s Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund. Members of the Japan Firefighters Association have visited the U.S. many times to meet with leaders from the NVFC and local departments across the U.S., including a visit in October. NVFC Executive Director Heather Schafer attended the Japan Firefighters Association’s Junior Fire Brigade Summit in Tokyo in February, and NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg previously attended an international fire service conference in Tokyo in 2008.

The NVFC’s International Relief Fund will remain active to support other countries that experience large-scale disasters on an as-needed basis. The NVFC’s Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund provides stipends to U.S. volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel impacted by a state- or federally-declared disaster. Learn more about both of these funds at www.nvfc.org/support.

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