HELP FIREFIGHTERS "GIVE BURNS THE BOOT"

Proceeds from April 6 event benefit the Burn Institute

April 6, 2011 (San Diego) -- Local firefighters take to the streets today for the 12th Annual Firefighter Boot Drive -- a countywide effort to support the Burn Institute.

The Boot Drive began as a grassroots effort backed by the fire service and has been going strong for more than a decade.  It is now a hallmark fundraiser for the Burn Institute. In 2010, more than $210,000 was raised for the organization.  Scroll down for a list of locations where firefighters will be asking the public to "fil the boot." 

Each year, hundreds of uniformed firefighters from fire departments all over San Diego County come together for a common goal, hopping aboard their engines to meet at intersections within their communities to collect donations in their boots during the morning and evening commutes (6-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.) And each year, despite the economy, passing motorists generously help to fill those boots with their spare change -- ones, fives, twenties - even $100 bills!

Last year,  firefighters from a record 44 departments across the county braved the weather at more than 100 intersections, despite sporadic thunderstorms and hail - even mountain snow showers.

Sponsored by the San Diego-Imperial County Fire Fighters Advisory Council to the Burn Institute and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs' Association, the event is not only the agency's largest one-day fundraiser, but it illustrates the close partnership between the Burn Institute and the fire service.

"The Boot Drive has become one of the Institute's most successful events," said James Floros, Burn Institute Executive Director/CEO, crediting the energy and support from local fire service - a chief component of the event. "As a team we can do great things for the community," he added.

Proceeds benefit Burn Institute fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support programs such as Camp Beyond The Scars for burn-injured children, 5-17 years. Celebrating its 25th season, the Burn Institute's unique camp program has provided a safe place for many hundreds of young burn survivors to share their experiences in a supportive camp environment. All of the money raised through the Boot Drive stays in San Diego County.

HELP FIREFIGHTERS 'GIVE BURNS THE BOOT' AT THESE LOCATIONS:

ALPINE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT / CSFA LOCAL
• Alpine Blvd./Tavern Road
• Alpine Blvd./South Grade Road
• South Grade Rd./Arnold Blvd.

BARONA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
• Founder Way & Wildcat Canyon Road

BONITA-SUNNYSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
• Bonita Road & Central Ave.
• Bonita Road & Otay Lakes

BORREGO SPRINGS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
• Christmas Circle
• Palm Canyon & Montezuma Rd.

CAL FIRE RAMONA & INTERMOUNTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT
• North I-15 & Deer Springs Exit
• South I-15 & Deer Springs Exit
• Valley Center Rd & Lilac
• Valley Center Rdk. & Cole Grande Rd.

CAMP PENDLETON
• College Blvd. & Vista Way off the 78

CARLSBAD FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Paseo del Norte & Palomar Mountain Road

CHULA VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Olympic Parkway @ Oleander (NB 805 on-ramp)
• East H St. @ Terra Nova Plaza Driveway (NB 805 on-ramp)
• Telegraph Canyon Rd. @ Halecrest Dr. (NB 05 on-ramp)

CORONADO FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Orange Street & 3rd Street
• Orange Street & 4th Street
• HWY 75/Tulagi

EL CAJON FIRE DEPARTMENT - 6am to 10am
• Greenfield Drive& Main Street

ENCINITAS FIRE DEPARTMENT
• El Camino Real/Encinitas Blvd.
• El Camino Real/Leucadia Blvd.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Ash & Valley Parkway
• Center City Parkway & I-15
• I-15 & Via Rancho Parkway
• 78 & Broadway

FEDERAL FIRE DEPARTMENT / LOCAL F-33
• Rosecrans & Midway

IMPERIAL BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Palm Avenue & 13th Street

LAKESIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Business 8 & Los Coches Road
• Winter Gardens Blvd. & Woodside Avenue

LEMON GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Lemon Grove Ave. & Broadway
• Massachusetts & Broadway

MIRAMAR FIRE DEPARTMENT / LOCAL F-289
• Miramar Road (Between Camino Ruiz & Kearny Villa)

NASSCO FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Harbor Drive & 28th St.
• E Belt Street or Gate 14
• Gate 2 (South of 28th St. on Harbor)

NORTH COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
• Shopping Center @ Mission Rd. & Ammunition Rd.

PALA FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Pala Temecula Road & Pala Mission

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT
• 33120 Canfield Road, Palomar Mt.

POWAY FIRE DEPARTMENT / LOCAL 3922
• Poway Road & Community Road
• Twin Peaks & Pomerado Road

SAN ONOFRE FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Two locations, San Onofre Generating Station

SANTEE FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Cuyamaca & Mission Gorge
• West Hills Parkway & Mast Blvd. (at the 52)

SOLANA BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Lomas Santa Fe & I-5
• Lomas Santa Fe & Highway 101

VIEJAS FIRE DEPARTMENT
• 1140 Tavern Rd. (A.M. Only)
• Alpine Blvd. @ Victoria Blvd.
• Albertsons on Alpine Blvd. @ Victoria Blvd
• Viejas Casino (500 Willow Rd)
• I-8 West Willows Exit (P.M. Only)