Economic Crisis Impacts Fire Departments in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, According to a National Survey Sponsored by Fireman`s Fund Insurance Company

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The current economic crisis is negatively impacting fire departments in the
greater metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C. (the District, Virginia, Maryland
and West Virginia), according to a new, 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 45 fire departments in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

"Supporting Safer Communities:A National Firefighter Survey" found that, in the
Washington, D.C. metro area, the top four challenges facing fire departments
today are:

* Eighty-five percent of departments find staffing, recruitment and employee
retention is at least somewhat challenging.
* Seventy-one percent of departments do not have adequate training for terrorism
and weapons of mass destruction.
* About half of these departments have had to increase fundraising efforts
and/or grant writing because of budget cutbacks.
* Forty-seven percent of departments have had cuts or reductions in services.

"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 Washington, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin. "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 the District."

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. About 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.

Additional findings include:

* Nearly half of departments do not have the needed resources/equipment for
wildland fires.
* More than half of departments do not have needed resources and equipment for
urban search and rescue.
* Forty percent of departments do not have needed resources and equipment for
hazardous materials incidents.
* Sixteen percent of departments do not have adequate extrication equipment
needed to safely and quickly remove injured people from a vehicle crash.

"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.

In the last five years, Fireman`s Fund has issued a total of 48 grants to fire
departments in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., totaling $759,578.

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
Sabia Schwarzer, 202-297-0372
Susan Murdy, 415-899-3749

Copyright Business Wire 2009