Economic Crisis Impacts Georgia Fire Departments, According to a New National Survey Sponsored by Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company

ATLANTA--(Business Wire)--
The current economic crisis is negatively impacting fire departments in the
state of Georgia, 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 203 fire
departments in Georgia.

"Supporting Safer Communities:A National Firefighter Survey" found that, in
Georgia, the top three challenges facing fire departments today are:

1- Sixty-three percent of departments do not have protective equipment for all
personnel to respond to wildland fires.

2- Sixty-three percent of departments do not have protective equipment for all
personnel to respond to a hazardous materials incident and 65 percent of those
without it state that they need it.

3- One-third of Georgia fire departments do not have adequate extrication
equipment needed to safely and quickly remove injured people from a vehicle
crash.

The 50 participating departments in the Atlanta metro area also face key issues:

1. Eighty-two percent of departments find staffing/recruitment/retention at
least somewhat challenging.

2. Three-fourths of departments find insufficient and old/outdated
equipment/apparatus at least somewhat challenging.

3. About one-third of departments agreed that they have had to or are planning
on cutting back on staffing because of the economic crisis.

4. Forty-four percent of departments have had to increase fundraising efforts
and/or grant writing because of budget cutbacks.

"When you consider that firefighters are the first responders to nearly every
fire, medical emergency, and natural or man-made disaster in our local
communities, it is imperative that we have adequate funding to ensure we keep
our communities safe," said Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine. "This
study is extremely valuable for both its depth and scope - one that effectively
shows the needs of today`s fire service in communities across the country and
particularly here in Georgia."

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 all career
and volunteer firefighters. Nearly 17,500 firefighters participated, 61 percent
of which hold the rank of fire official (chief, captain or lieutenant). Full
results can be found at www.firemansfund.com/firesurvey.

"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 focused 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 past five years, Fireman`s Fund has issued 53 grants to Georgia Fire
Departments, totaling $1,050,166.

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
Media Relations:
Janet Ruiz, 415-899-5381

Copyright Business Wire 2009