GREENVILLE, S.C., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelin, the premier tire manufacturer in the world, today announced that it intends to double the amount of tires it will donate to first responders across the U.S. in the coming year through its Michelin's Driving America's Safety program for first responders. As part of its continued commitment to social and corporate responsibility, Michelin's Driving America's Safety program dedicates resources to educating and supporting road safety for today's drivers, first responders and future generations.
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Starting today, communities and individuals across America can play a role in ensuring that safe and reliable tires are on an emergency vehicle for their community by nominating first responders for a new set of Michelin(R) tires. The nomination process, detailed on www.michelinman.com , begins April 23, 2007 and ends on November 23, 2007.
Key elements of the Michelin Driving America's Safety program for first responders include:
* Recognizing Local First Responders: Twenty-five communities were awarded
new tires this month for their first responder emergency vehicles. Fifty
first responders and their vehicles will be selected for new tires in
early 2008 through this year's nomination process across America, which
kicks-off today.
* National Spokesperson, Ryan Sutter: As part of this year's Michelin
Driving America's Safety program for first responders, Ryan Sutter,
reality television star from "The Bachelorette" and firefighter for Vail
Fire and Emergency Services will serve as national spokesperson for the
program to raise awareness for the program and tire safety.
* Tire Maintenance Tips for National Tire Safety Week, April 22-28, 2007:
Michelin reminds drivers as part of its Michelin Driving America's
Safety initiatives to check tire pressure and tread wear this week
before the spring and summer travel season kicks into high gear.
Additional tire safety tips are available at www.michelinman.com/forward
Firefighters and EMS personnel across the country respond to more than 500,000 emergency calls every day and communities rely on quick responses to medical emergencies, fires and rescue efforts. However, numerous fire departments and EMS squads across the country face financial difficulties when it comes to maintaining equipment.
"Tire maintenance is essential to emergency responder vehicles and many fire departments and EMS units struggle to maintain their vehicles," said Ryan Sutter. "Through this Michelin program, communities have the opportunity to recognize the brave efforts of local first responders and help them maintain vehicle safety by nominating them for new tires."
How to Nominate Your Local First Responders
Beginning April 23, 2007, nominate a local firefighter or EMT at the Michelin Web site, www.michelinman.com . A form and guidelines are available explaining how to nominate these first responder heroes to be one of 50 who will receive a new set of Michelin tires for their department.
All nominations must be postmarked by November, 15, 2007 and received by Nov. 23, 2007. Program details can be found via the Web site at www.michelinman.com or via the U.S. Postal Service:
Michelin's Driving America's Safety Program
c/o Cohn & Wolfe
292 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10017
"As the tire industry leader, and the fifth most trusted company in the world, Michelin is continuing to develop this community focused program to demonstrate that our leadership in safety extends beyond just product safety to the 'safety of safety providers'; and it is certainly in-line with Michelin's inspiration as a company and brand to create 'Better Mobility' for individuals and society," said Parmeet Grover, brand director for Michelin North America, Inc. "By increasing our support for EMTs and firefighters through our Michelin Driving America's Safety program, we have the ability to impact safety on the roads in a very tangible way by ensuring some of the neediest emergency responder vehicles are riding on Michelin tires."
Last Year's Winners
This month, 25 individuals were awarded a new set of tires for a first responder vehicle as a result of last year's nomination process. These winners, many located in smaller towns, provide an irreplaceable service to their community and rely on a variety of fundraising efforts such as bake sales and local fairs to raise money for vehicle maintenance.
The 25 recipients for 2007 Michelin's Driving America's Safety first responder program include:
* Adamsburg & Community Volunteer Fire Department - Adamsburg, Pa.
* Rob Amick, Frankton Volunteer Fire Department - Frankton, Ind.
* Chris Bass, Triangle Volunteer Fire Department - Nathalie, Va.
* Jeff Boyd, Cottonwood Fire Department - Cottonwood, Ariz.
* James Ciccicioppi, Columbia Consolidated Fire Department, Columbia, Pa.
* Richard Daniels, Williamstown Forest - Williamstown, Mass.
* David Embry, River Falls Fire Department - Marietta, S.C.
* Terry Feth, Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District - Beaufort, Mo.
* Charles Fields, El Paso Fire Department - Derby, Kan.
* Forest Park Fire Department - Forest Park, Ohio
* Gray Volunteer Fire Department - Jefferson, Texas
* Errin Gray, Warren Township Fire Department - Indianapolis, Ind.
* Michael Green, Volunteer Medical Services Corp. - Ardmore, Pa.
* Greensprings Fire and Rescue - Ashland, Ore.
* Carter Hall, Leatherwood Fire & Rescue - Delphia, Ky.
* Paul Hartje, Cudahy Fire Department - Cudahy, Wis.
* Dick Holland, Harmony Valley Fire District - New Harmony, Utah
* Ironbound Ambulance Squad - Newark, N.J.
* Donnie Morrell, North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps - North Syracuse,
N.Y.
* David Proulx, Hamden Fire Department - Hamden, Conn.
* Gary Schuett, Hader Fire & Rescue - Hadar, Neb.
* Billy Sharpe, Hilda Volunteer Fire Department - Hilda, S.C.
* Norman Snyder, St. Claire Marine Rescue Unit - North Street, Mich.
* Jere Wright, Haywood Volunteer Fire Department - Ripley, Tenn.
About Michelin
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelinman.com) employs more than 22,000 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.
For more information, visit www.michelinmedia.com .
North America
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