Georgia-Pacific's Bucket Brigade program this year awarded $188,400 in grants to 40 fire departments for equipment critical to firefighters' safety. In the 11 years since the program's inception, Georgia-Pacific has given more than $2.2 million to fire departments in cash and educational materials that serve the company's facility communities across the country.

"The goal of Georgia-Pacific's Bucket Brigade program has always been to help fire departments have the vital equipment needed to protect themselves and help keep our communities safe," said Christian Fischer, president and chief executive officer of Georgia-Pacific. "Since the program began in 2006, we're proud to have awarded 370 grants, representing 287 fire departments in our facility communities across the country."

Grants are based on need and are funded by the Georgia-Pacific Foundation and local Georgia-Pacific facilities. Funds are typically used to purchase new protective clothing and replace items such as damaged safety gear and aging equipment.

Through the program, Georgia-Pacific also gives all grant applicants free memberships to The National Volunteer Fire Council, which provides access to tools, resources, programs and advocacy for first-responders across the nation.

"We appreciate Georgia-Pacific's support of the volunteer fire service," said Heather Schafer, NVFC CEO. "These grants ensure our responders have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively."

The fire departments receiving Bucket Brigade grants this year span 24 states where Georgia-Pacific has facilities: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.