"Are America's Communities FIRE Safe?" (Firefighter-Filmmakers Speak Out!)

A multimedia report dealing with the demise of the American Volunteer Fire Service, one of this nation's oldest institutions. Presented by award winning firefighter-filmmakers Amy Steelman-Angeli and Lou Angeli.

"Are America's Communities FIRE Safe?"
Firefighter-Filmmakers Speak Out in Fox Television Reports!

Immediate Release -- contact: 302-753-9620
http://www.fire-rescuevillage.com/volunteers/index.html

WILMINGTON, DE, August 25, 2001 -- Is your local community fire safe? For a decade now, Firefighter Filmmakers Amy Steelman-Angeli and Lou Angeli have been saying probably not", and they've often taken HEAT for their views. But now a special Federal Commission agrees. The fire problem here in America, the commission reported this past year ‘remains as severe as it was 30 years ago."

In a country that prides itself on advanced technology, The United States still carries the burden of the worlds worst fire record. And the problem, say the Angelis, ‘is getting much worse instead of better."

The husband-wife filmmaking team have taken a story that's been under wraps for too many years now, and are now sharing it with the general public. In a media sweep of mid Atlantic television, the team launched their report on several Fox Stations this week, with the help of the nation's most vocal firefighter advocate, Congresssman Curt Weldon, himself a volunteer firefighter.

Congressman Weldon, a PA Republican, and outspoken firefighter advocate, agrees with the Angelis. "If we don't do something soon to protect and support our volunteers, we'll lose a valuable and cost-effective service." Weldon was instrumental in securing $100 million in federal funding for America's Bravest, and is hoping to increase that amount in coming years.

Of the dozens of problems currently plaguing the fire rescue services, ...the lack of qualified volunteers is one of our greatest woes," says Amy. "It is these volunteers who have served as the backbone of the fire service since its inception." But in just a decade the volunteer population has dropped by an alarming 50%. And with volunteers protecting much of the nation - including many major suburban hubs - the Angelis concern is not unfounded.

The Angelis have been documenting serious disasters and fires for a dozen years now. The couple helped create the ride-along" concept in the late 1980s, and they continue to shoot the emergency responses of dozens of departments nationwide each year. Their unique perspective from the front seat of fire engines around the country, gives them insight into a world that citizen public simply never sees. Their footage is seen on each major network and as part of documentaries which air of The Discovery Channel, Fox Family Network, and others.

In their 7-part electronic magazine series entitled Last One Standing", the couple notes, Americas Volunteer Firefighters and EMTs are extraordinary people, who work at this nations most dangerous profession FOR FREE! But they add, Even the best of intentions sometimes go awry, and the once revered volunteer fire-rescue system, founded by Ben Franklin himself, is quickly faltering and is in desperate need of a major overhaul."

The Angelis also fault local and municipal government for not responding to the needs of Americas 28,000 volunteer departments. "Local elected officials assume that fire protection is a given,' Amy says, 'supported by some secret funding stash. It's absolutely ludicrous to think that some towns only support their fire departments to the tune of $200 per year," she added.

With the Fall season just ahead, Angeli and Angeli are currently involved in a media blitz that is designed to heighten awareness of the plight of Americas firefighters. Their story includes compelling footage from a soon to be released documentary entitled "Unsung Heroes". The couple is sharing this story with all members of the media, including newspapers, TV and Radio talk. Its a message that must be heard.
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Nicknamed The FireFlirts by their fellow firefighters, Amy Steelman-Angeli and Lou Angeli are members of a volunteer fire department in suburban Philadelphia. Their firm, FireTV, is based in Wilmington, Delaware, with an office in St. Louis.

Visit their interactive website at http://www.fire-rescuevillage.com/volunteers/index.html
Contact: 302-753-9620

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