American Water Works : West Virginia American Water Awards more than $10,000 to Local Fire Departments through Annual Grant Program

Laura Martin, External Affairs Manager Laura.Martin@amwater.com Office: (304) 340-2089

Mobile: (304) 932-7158

www.westvirginiaamwater.com

Recipients will use funds to purchase emergency gear, life-saving equipment, training materials and essential firefighting apparatus

"Assisting our local fire departments is one of the most vital things we can do to ensure the safety and security of our communities," said West Virginia American Water president Brian Bruce. "West Virginia American Water is very proud to support organizations that play such a valuable role in the continued protection of our customers."

The program covers a wide range of fire department expenses associated with personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, water handling equipment, training and related activities that will be used to support community fire protection. A team of West Virginia American Water employees selected the 12 grant recipients through a rigorous screening and application review process. The selected organizations and their funding fulfilments are:

Boone County

• Racine Volunteer Fire Department ($500) for the purchase of 20 fire retardant hoods

  Cabell County

• Huntington Fire Department ($1,000) toward the purchase of 88 fire retardant hoods Fayette County

  WEST VIRGINIA AMERICAN WATER AWARDS MORE THAN $10,000 TO LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS

  • Ansted Volunteer Fire Department ($1,000) for the purchase of one complete fire hydrant bag (enabling quick and successful hydrant hookup)

    Kanawha County

• Belle Volunteer Fire Department ($1,000) for 15 pairs of structural firefighting gloves and 15 Fire retardant hoods
• Malden Volunteer Fire Department ($1,000) for a portable scene light and 10 pairs of structural firefighting gloves
• Tornado Volunteer Fire Department ($950) for a small boat motor
• Tyler Mountain Volunteer Fire Department ($500) for the purchase of 20 fire retardant hoods

  Lewis County

• Weston Volunteer Fire Department ($1,000) for the purchase of basic dive equipment
• Jane Lew Volunteer Fire Department ($500) toward the purchase of vital hand tools

  Mercer County

  • Bluefield Fire Department ($1,000) toward the purchase of updated personal protective gear for 16 firefighters

    Putnam County

  • Hurricane Volunteer Fire Department ($800) for the purchase of a cordless drill with rechargeable batteries, windshield cutter and cordless reciprocating saw

    Webster County

• Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department ($935) for the purchase of a plastic rescue stretcher

West Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest water utility in the state, providing high quality and reliable water services to approximately 550,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.westvirginiaamwater.com.