The 911 FUND, Inc., Enhances Emergency Preparedness throughout the World, By Stephan Hittmann, President of the 911 FUND
1. The 911 FUND, Inc., Enhances
Emergency Preparedness
throughout the World
By Stephan Hittmann, President of the 911
FUND
2. The 911 FUND, Inc., Enhances Emergency
Preparedness throughout the World
Dr. Hittmann is the former Executive Director of the
Fire Department of the City of New York, and has
served as President of the 911 FUND since 2004.
3. The 911 FUND, Inc., Enhances Emergency
Preparedness throughout the World
Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, former
members of the Fire Department of New York City joined
together to form the 911 FUND. This nonprofit organization
provides emergency vehicles and related equipment, along
with training, at no cost to organizations in need throughout
the world. Since firefighters and other first responders in
developing countries face the same risks as American
firefighters, but often lack appropriate equipment and training,
the 911 FUND fills a substantial need in reaching out to these
organizations.
4. The 911 FUND, Inc., Enhances Emergency
Preparedness throughout the World
Over the past decade, the 911 FUND has offered help with
equipment donation and operations training, as well as
architectural assistance for fire station design, all free-of-
charge, in countries such as Belize, Colombia, Mexico, the
Dominican Republic, Haiti, South Africa, and others. For
example, the 911 FUND worked with Sociedad de Bomberos
Voluntarios de Garin of Buenos Aires, Argentina. During a visit
to the Sociedad de Bomberos, the 911 FUND provided detailed
analysis of operations and tools for improving facilities and
operations. The 911 FUND is dedicated to developing deep
relationships with the emergency response organizations that
it supports, and following their progress over time.