Amazon, Gary Sinise Foundation award Seattle Fire $150,000 grant – Fire Line

Thanks to a partnership between the Gary Sinise Foundation and Amazon, the Seattle Fire Department is receiving a $150,000 grant. The funds will support the department’s behavioral health programs and provides special gloves for every firefighter.

Representatives from the Gary Sinise Foundation and Amazon joined Fire Chief Harold Scoggins on Oct. 16 to make the announcement from Fire Station 2 in Belltown.

“Our first responders are on the front lines of our communities, running into danger and risking their lives every day to keep their cities safe. On behalf of our founder Gary Sinise and our incredible partner Amazon, we are honored to provide this essential equipment to the Seattle Fire Department as a way to show our deep gratitude for these heroes and their service to their community,” said Donna Palmer, Executive Director of the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Bobby George, director of outreach from the Gary Sinise Foundation, shares a laugh with Fire Chief Scoggins during the announcement.

The news came as part the lead up to National First Responders Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 28.

What the grant provides
Seattle Fire will purchase a mobile app that puts real-time mental health resources in the hands of firefighters. This app complements the department’s Peer Support team, a group of firefighters trained to offer confidential support to their colleagues.

Firefighters will also be outfitted with specialized extrication gloves. These are better suited to use in certain emergency responses than regular firefighting gloves.

Seattle firefighters are wearing the new gloves, which provide protection while also being easier to grip and use extrication tools.

Seattle Fire Chief Harold D. Scoggins said, “We are grateful to have been selected for this grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) and Amazon. With nearly every dollar of our department budget allocated, finding the money for new equipment and training can be a challenge.

“Through this generous grant, we’re able to provide each firefighter with extrication gloves and continue building out our programs that help firefighters deal with the traumatic and stressful situations they encounter daily. Neither would have been possible without the Gary Sinise Foundation and Amazon’s support.”

Amazon volunteers served a “gratitude lunch” to firefighters from Fire Station 2 and the Peer Support team.

Learn more

Visit Amazon and Gary Sinise Foundation Announce New Multi-Year Partnership to Amplify Support of Our Nation’s Veterans, Heroes, First Responders and Defenders | Gary Sinise Foundation.