Application Period Announced for Anheuser-Busch Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program
July 25, 2023
Eligible volunteer fire departments can apply for water between August 1-15
Anheuser-Busch, together with its wholesaler partners and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will provide another one million cans of clean drinking water to volunteer fire departments that respond to wildfires. Through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program, 1.5 million cans were allocated to over 600 departments during a previous application period in March. This addition means over 1,000 departments will receive 2.5 million cans of water in 2023.
Hydration is critical for firefighters, especially those battling wildfires and other crises in scorching heat. Yet with many volunteer departments struggling with minimal budgets, obtaining necessities like clean drinking water can be a challenge. Since Anheuser-Busch first partnered with the NVFC in 2019, more than nine million cans of water have been donated to 2,500 departments, providing over one million dollars in cost savings for local departments.
The application period will be open August 1-15. Departments must respond to wildfires annually, be over 50 percent volunteer, and serve a population of 25,000 or less to qualify. Departments approved to receive the water during the first application period (March 15-31, 2023) are not eligible to apply.
The emergency drinking water is sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, GA, and Fort Collins, CO, which periodically pause beer production to can clean, safe drinking water to support disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross and the NVFC.
Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program at www.nvfc.org/water.
About Anheuser-Busch
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States.
We are home to several of America’s most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About the National Volunteer Fire Council
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 critical advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
