For the sixth consecutive year, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the country, including more than 9,400 cans to four fire departments across California. The continued partnership builds on the brewer's longstanding history of showing up for its communities and demonstrates its deep appreciation for the first responders who help to keep them safe.
Across the country, 65 percent of firefighters—typically the first line of defense in local emergencies—are volunteers, often with limited department budgets for critical supplies. Anheuser-Busch's water donations allow these departments to free up limited resources for other expenses or equipment needed to keep their force prepared to respond to any emergency or disaster. Produced and canned by Anheuser-Busch breweries, more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water are being distributed to over 630 volunteer fire departments across 44 states throughout the summer as part of the brewer's larger effort to promote disaster preparedness nationwide.
"Our continued partnership with the NVFC and volunteer firefighters across the country embodies the rich heritage of Anheuser-Busch and our commitment and long-standing track record of supporting our communities when they need us most—because that's who we are," said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. "Along with our wholesaler partners, Anheuser-Busch is honored to leverage our production, packaging, and logistics capabilities to assist the firefighters who lead with courage to protect us every time they're called upon."
In California, donations of emergency drinking water will be made to four volunteer fire departments: Daggett Fire Department, Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District, Comptche Volunteer Fire Department, and Clarksburg Fire District.
"In a state where wildfires are unfortunately common, we are grateful to work with Anheuser-Busch to bring much-needed emergency drinking water to the volunteer fire departments that keep our state safe," said Ryan Donaghy, President at Donaghy Sales. "First responders are the heart of our communities, and we thank them for their time and sacrifice."
Anheuser-Busch has been providing support for disaster relief efforts dating back to 1906, in partnership with the American Red Cross. With an increased focus on disaster preparedness, the brewer started its partnership with the NVFC in 2019 and, together with its wholesaler partners, has delivered nearly 9 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 2,000 volunteer fire departments across 49 states.
"We're excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Anheuser-Busch to support local VFDs across the nation with emergency drinking water," said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. "This vital resource assures that firefighters are able to safely protect themselves and our towns year-round."
Anheuser-Busch's breweries in Cartersville, Georgia, and Fort Collins, Colorado, periodically pause beer production each year to can clean, safe emergency drinking water to support disaster relief efforts. Since 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 93 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises.
Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program at www.nvfc.org/water.
