My friends in the Global Firefighter Community,

I would like to wish the firefighters of Mexico a Happy Firefighters Day. Thank you for your hard work, sacrifice and dedication to your communities.

In the US, we take for granted the fact that when a fire emergency occurs, a properly trained and equipped firefighter will respond to the scene.  Still, in some parts of the US and especially in the developing world, we know this is often not the case.  Inadequately trained and equipped teams are often asked to respond in already difficult conditions.  Communities and businesses pay the price – in property damage, lost jobs and lost lives.

As a company devoted to the protection and training of firefighters globally, LION holds a core belief that we must do more than provide the best products and services – that we can and should put our values into action, making the world a safer place for firefighters and the citizens they protect.  We think this is the right thing to do, and in the end, also a key to the sustainable growth of our company.

Holding a large quantity of used, European-style turnout gear, LION has initiated a pilot project in Mexico. The project provides to local Mexican fire organizations without any gear, well maintained, used turnout gear at a fraction of its market value.  As a result of our efforts over the past twelve months, fire departments in over a dozen communities large and small across the country have received over 800 sets of gear, including:

• Cuitlahuac, Vera Cruz
• Perote,  Vera Cruz
• Atontonga Vera Cruz
• Tenancingo, Edo. de Mexico
• San Luis Potosi
• Colima
• San Luis de la Paz, Gto
• Tulancingo
• San Juan del Rio Qro.
• Amealco, Qro.
• Queretaro
• Morelia

– and the project is growing.

For me personally, the result has been very inspiring.  This gear will save property and lives in communities where it is desperately needed.  The program has also helped us reach out to Mexican firefighter organizations that will be crucial to our growing the business in Mexico and beyond.  It is a true win-win for the company and the firefighter community, one that makes me believe we can achieve even more using a similar model in the US and other parts of the world.

My goal is to equip within five years at least 50,000 firefighters currently without gear with used gear and training, protecting more than 15 million citizens around the world currently.  To get there we will need partners, and will need the insights and support of people like you.

Stay tuned as I share more about the “Protect 5/50” program.  I welcome your feedback about how we can give this program the success it deserves.

Happy Firefighters Day to all our friends and partners in Mexico. We look forward to working with you and appreciate the difficult, selfless tasks you undertake every day. Feliz Día del Bombero!

Sincerely,

Steve Schwartz

CEO, LION