Our Work
The Bellevue Fire Foundation is seeking funds for these equipment and training projects.
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS FOR FIREFIGHTER SAFETY AND SAVING LIVES
Firefighters face life-threatening conditions in low-visibility environments like smoke-filled buildings and darkness. Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICS) are essential tools that allow firefighters to “see” heat signatures, enhancing visibility, safety, and efficiency.
Key Benefits of TICS:
- Life-Saving Visibility: TICS enable firefighters to navigate smoke and darkness, locate fire sources, and identify trapped victims quickly.
- Faster Fire Suppression: They help pinpoint hotspots, speeding up firefighting efforts and preventing reignition.
Improved Efficiency: TICS optimize resource use and reduce property damage by guiding strategic fire suppression.
Funding for TICS will enhance firefighter safety, support life-saving rescues, and improve response efficiency, ensuring our teams are prepared to protect the community in every scenario.
Funding Goal: $56,240 for 38 cameras
WIRELESS HEARING PROTECTION HEADSETS
Ensuring Clear Communication and Hearing Protection for Firefighters
Firefighters face high risks of hearing loss from exposure to loud equipment and noisy emergency environments. Clear communication is vital for safety, yet traditional hearing protection can hinder it.
Wireless hearing protection headsets offer a solution, enabling firefighters to communicate effectively while safeguarding their hearing. Funding will provide ten wireless headsets to protect a team of 10.
This investment ensures firefighters can perform safely and effectively during emergencies while reducing the risk of long-term hearing loss and costly treatment or claims.
Funding Goal: $23,735 for 10 sets of hearing protection
THE WILDFIRE BRUSH TRUCK
IS IN SERVICE!
Just in time for wildfire season! Fundraising has almost been completed for this new tool that will make an impact on saving lives and property.
Thank you, Amazon for your generous support and partnership with Bellevue Fire Foundation by providing a $150,000 matching grant!
FUNDING PRIORITIES
As Bellevue continues to grow, so too are the increasing demands on our firefighters as they respond to emergencies in the business and shopping districts, neighborhoods, high rises, and lakes. The demands on our BFD firefighters seem to be endless – they must be prepared to respond to hazards, disasters, and medical emergencies while also facing risks to their health and well-being.
While the BFD is well funded, City resources are unfortunately finite. Unfortunately, the breadth and scope of everything BFD handles are hindered by budget limitations for securing needed equipment, tools, and technology beyond the basics.
There are immediate funding needs for items that help keep them and our communities safe.
These needs range from resources for wildfire season, community engagement activities for safety and fire prevention, and developing leadership skills, to supporting the health and well-being of our firefighters.
Less than 3% of the fire department’s budget covers the cost of essential equipment, new technology,
and training to help firefighters do their job.
Worsened by the pandemic’s financial fallout, budget constraints limit the Department’s ability to close critical funding gaps. The Bellevue Fire Department seeks the community’s help in fulfilling its most pressing needs.
The funding needs were a result of working closely with Chief Jay Hagen, his leadership team, and various units to prioritize funding the gear, equipment, and resources that will keep the community safe and the firefighters safe in the line of duty. The BFD’s current funding priorities are listed below.
Amazon generously provided a challenge grant of $150,000 towards the Wildfire Brush Truck!
Wildfire Brush Truck
Remaining to be raised: $12,000
With a tree canopy of 36%, it’s no wonder Bellevue is referred to as a “City in a Park”, yet it brings with it a higher risk of wildfire activity in our community. The WA Department of Natural Resources issued a warning of risk to several portions of the city due to wildland vulnerability.
We needed to be proactive in preparing for this increasing threat to our homes and neighborhoods which overlap with the natural environment. The BFD did not have the type of vehicle required to combat the fast-moving brush and grass fires that pose a threat in the Wildland-Urban Interface – a Wildland Type 6 Brush Truck.
During the winter months when snow and ice events hit our area, the Brush Truck will assist firefighters in responding to fires located in higher elevation neighborhoods.
OUR WORK
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telephone
(206) 660-7174
info@bellevuefirefoundation.org
Bellevue Fire Foundation
P O Box 844
Bellevue, WA 98009-0844