Chickamauga, GA – Walker County Emergency Services (WCES) received a $2,700 fire prevention grant today from FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers.

Dale Miller, a field engineer with FM Global, presented the award to Fire Marshal Paul Linder, along with other WCES team members.  The grant will fund the purchase of a new Sparky the Fire Dog costume, which will be used at schools and community events to promote fire prevention in Walker County.

“At FM Global, we strongly believe the majority of property damage is preventable, not inevitable,” said Michael Spaziani, assistant vice president – manager of the fire prevention grant program. “Far too often, inadequate budgets prevent those organizations working to prevent fire from being as proactive as they would like to be. With additional financial support, grant recipients are actively helping to improve property risk in the communities they serve.”

Fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide, which is one reason why FM Global has contributed millions of dollars in fire prevention grants over the past 40 years.

Pictured are: WCES Deputy Chief Nathan Farrow, WCES Fire Chief Blake Hodge, FM Global Field Engineer Dale Miller, WCES Fire Marshal Paul Linder, WCES Fire Educator Suzanna Tingle, WCES Capt. Robert Stephenson, WCES Firefighter James Bass and WCES Administrative Assistant Crystal Woods.