UCI Health burn center receives education grant
Funds support to community fire and burn prevention education
September 01, 2015
The UCI Health Regional Burn Center has received a grant from Leavitt Insurance Services of Southern California and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company to fund fire and burn prevention education to the most at-risk populations across Orange County. The $6,700 grant is the third the UCI Health burn team has received in Fireman’s Fund-related donations in recent years.
Each year, more than 450,000 severe burn injuries and deaths are reported in the United States and sadly, a majority of these cases are preventable.
“Our burn center admits over 100 children every year and the vast majority of these burns are from preventable household accidents,” said Dr. Victor Joe, director of UCI Health Regional Burn Center. “This grant will help us to continue our public outreach, and help families identify common household hazards to prevent these life altering injuries.”
Funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, this grant is part of a nationwide philanthropic program. Founded in 1863 with a social mission to support the fire service, Fireman’s Fund has awarded grants to fire service organizations for life-saving equipment, firefighter training and community education programs. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has awarded grants to more than 2,100 different organizations totaling more than $32 million – including more than $9.3 million in California.
Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like Leavitt Insurance Services of Southern California, are able to direct these grants to support local fire- and burn-related services. Through this program, Leavitt Group has directed over $237,000 in grants to fire departments nationwide.
“Burns are some of the most painful and disfiguring injuries a person can have, but many of those injuries are preventable with proper awareness and education,” said Angelo Maroutsos, managing principal of Leavitt Insurance Services of Southern California. “We are proud to know this donation will have an impact on children and families in this community.”
Previous grants from the Fireman’s Fund philanthropic efforts and partners include $5,600 to fund training for emergency responders about effectively providing emergency care of burn patients, and $16,000 to fund a Burn Prevention To-Go program – 175 kits that include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, scald prevention water temperature monitors, and electrical outlet and stove knob covers.
More information about the UCI Health Regional Burn Center:
