From the President & CEO of PennWell
Publisher of Fire Engineering, the oldest publication for the fire service
Shaken, saddened, angered. Resolute.
These words describe the range of emotions we have experienced since September 11.
PennWell Corporation, publisher of Fire Engineering, expresses its heartfelt appreciation for those brave members of the New York Fire and Police Departments, and all rescue workers, who gave their lives to save the lives of others. We in Oklahoma know personally how important that is. During the Oklahoma City Bombing, we welcomed with deep gratitude the support of firefighters from New York and all over the United States … they didn’t hesitate to come to our aid.
With the spirit of these heroic firefighters in mind, PennWell has established the Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Foundation. To both preserve the memory of September 11, 2001 and honor firefighters for many years to come, we have set up an independent tax-free Foundation with a goal of raising $1,000,000. PennWell has made an initial contribution of $25,000 and is committed to a total contribution of $100,000 on a matching basis. PennWell will match one dollar for every nine dollars donated by PennWell advertisers, readers, customers, friends, suppliers, and employees.
Through your generous donation, the Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Foundation will exist in perpetuity. Each year the income from the Foundation will be awarded to the firefighter (or his or her family) who has exhibited exemplary courage and valor in a rescue operation during the preceding year, in honor of the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11.
The Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Award will be presented annually in Indianapolis at PennWell’s FDIC Conference & Exhibition, with the first award ceremony in April 2002. FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference) is the world’s largest fire rescue conference and show, and the April 2002 Indianapolis event will be the firest gathering of over 18,000 fire service personnel since the September 11 tragedy. FDIC and Fire Engineering have specialized in training thousands within the fire service for decades. Launched 124 years ago, Fire Engineering
On behalf of PennWell’s stockholders, management, and employees, I thank you in advance for your generosity to this Foundation. Again, we at PennWell extend our deepest condolences to those who have suffered loss by this savage attack, and our gratitude for your help in preserving the memory and recognizing the courage and valor of fallen firefighters, America’s heroes, for years to come.
Sinceerely,
Robert F. Biolchini
Please send your generous tax-deductable donations to:
Fire Engineering Courage and Valor Foundation, c/o Valley National Bank, 8080 South Yale, Tulsa, OK 74136.
