California Budget Crisis Impacts State Fire Departments, According to a New National Survey Sponsored by Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company

NOVATO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The current economic crisis is negatively impacting fire departments in
California, according to a comprehensive national survey of firefighters
sponsored by Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company. The study attracted nearly 9,500
fire departments or 30 percent of departments in the country, including 412 fire
departments in California.

"Supporting Safer Communities:A National Firefighter Survey" found that the top
challenges facing California fire departments today are:

* Seventy percent of departments agree that if the economic situation continues
for another 12 months it will negatively affect their ability to serve their
communities.
* Fifty-seven of the volunteer departments (which represent 56 percent of all
fire departments in the state of California) agree with the statement that they
are losing volunteers who need to look for other jobs or sources of income.
* Fifty-four percent of departments have increased their fundraising efforts
and/or grant writing because of budget cutbacks.
* More than one-third of departments agree that they are planning or have had to
cut back on staffing.
* Nearly one-quarter (22 percent) of departments do not have the adequate
extrication equipment needed to safely and quickly remove injured people from a
vehicle crash.

"Firefighters - volunteer, paid or a combination of both - are the first
responders to nearly every fire, medical emergency, and natural or man-made
disaster in our local communities. In these tough economic times with service
demands increasing, it is imperative that we have adequate funding to ensure we
keep our communities safe," said Chief Bruce H. Varner, fire chief of the Santa
Rosa, Calif. fire department.

The study was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs based in New York, and was
available online for six weeks from mid-February to March 31, 2009 to any career
and volunteer firefighters, regardless of geography, rank or size of their
community. More than 17,500 firefighters from nearly 9,500 departments
participated, 61 percent of which hold the rank of fire official (chief, captain
or lieutenant). These findings are based on data at the department level rather
than on all respondents. When multiple firefighters from the same fire service
organization responded to the survey, the first individual to respond was
selected on behalf of that department. Full results can be found at
www.firemansfund.com/firesurvey.

Not all California findings were grim:

* When it comes to wildland fires, only nine percent of the departments in the
state do not have equipment for all personnel to respond to wildland fires and
feel prepared to respond to wildfires.

"As a company, Fireman`s Fund believes it is extremely important to raise
awareness of the needs of local fire departments," said Chuck Kavitsky, chairman
of Fireman`s Fund. "Supporting the fire service means safer communities. That is
why we have dedicated our philanthropic giving to directing grants to fire
departments throughout the country."

Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company`s nationwide philanthropic program is designed
to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire
departments. Since 2004, Fireman`s Fund has issued grants to more than 1,100
different departments totaling more than $21 million. Independent insurance
agencies that sell Fireman`s Fund products are able to direct these grants to
support fire stations in their communities.

Over the last five years, Fireman`s Fund has issued 350 grants to California
fire departments, totaling more than $6.5 million.

About Fireman`s Fund

Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance
company providing personal and commercial insurance products nationwide. It is
rated 'AA-' by Standard & Poor`s Rating Services. Founded in 1863 with a mission
to support firefighters, Fireman`s Fund continues this effort today through its
national philanthropic efforts. Fireman`s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group
(NYSE:AZ), one of the world`s largest providers of insurance and other financial
services. For more information, visit www.firemansfund.com.

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research
practice made up of seasoned professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs conducts
strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and
international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but
elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research. Ipsos Public Affairs
is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research
company. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-pa.com

© 2009 Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company, Novato, CA 94998

Fireman`s Fund
Susan Murdy, 415-899-3749 (Media Relations)

Copyright Business Wire 2009