Donation marks second year of support from IDEX for efforts to eradicate child exploitation and human trafficking
INDIANAPOLIS — IDEX Fire & Safety is continuing its commitment to first responder training with a $25,000 gift from the IDEX Foundation to support iEmpathize and classroom education on child exploitation and human trafficking prevention. The donation, which marks IDEX Fire & Safety’s second year supporting this critical cause, funds iEmpathize’s First Responder Training Course and empowers the same first responders that use IDEX Fire & Safety’s trusted brands on the fireground.
“We’re proud to continue our support for iEmpathize’s First Responder Training Course to help ensure first responders know how to identify and respond to signs of child exploitation and human trafficking,” said Bill Simmons, president, IDEX Fire & Safety. “IDEX Fire & Safety has a long history of equipping first responders with the equipment they need to save lives on the fire and rescue ground. We’re equally committed to ensuring first responders are well prepared for the challenges they face on the job, and our partnership with iEmpathize ensures these everyday heroes have the training they need to save more lives than ever before.”
IDEX Fire & Safety’s gift will fund iEmpathize’s efforts to bring prevention and intervention strategies to youth and the adults who work with them, including specialized training. The First Responder Training course is designed to address human trafficking specifically from the unique perspective of a firefighter, EMT, paramedic and 911 dispatcher. First responders are uniquely positioned to identify trafficking situations and are often the first to encounter a potential victim or crime. Their role is critical in identifying and responding to human trafficking cases.
“Adults intersect with vulnerable and victimized youth every day, yet cases continue to increase,” said Mark Brende, Engagement Coordinator for the non-profit group, iEmpathize. “By funding our First Responder Training course, IDEX Fire & Safety is helping us provide the tools and equip first responders to identify, report and respond to the issues of child exploitation and human trafficking. We extend our thanks to IDEX Fire & Safety and the IDEX Foundation and appreciate their continued partnership in the fight against human trafficking.”
IDEX Fire & Safety’s trusted brands in North America include Akron Brass, Captium, Class 1, Hale, HURST Jaws of Life, SAM, Vetter and Weldon, all of which serve first responders with equipment for the rescue scene. The partnership with iEmpathize affirms IDEX Fire & Safety’s commitment to saving lives.
“IDEX Fire & Safety and our family of brands are trusted by the first responder community to make their jobs safer,” said Bruce Johnston, Director of Marketing, IDEX Fire & Safety North America Fire & Safety. “It’s a natural extension of our mission to put our brands behind an effort to help make their communities safer, too. We’re proud to join iEmpathize and first responders across the country in making the world safer for vulnerable youth.”
About IDEX Fire & Safety
IDEX Fire & Safety brings trusted brands together to deliver innovation in both customer experience and integrated solutions that revolutionize performance and technology to make the fireground and rescue scene safer. Our brands include Akron Brass, Alco, AWG, Captium, Class 1, Dinglee, Godiva, Hale, HURST Jaws of Life, Lukas, SAM, Vetter and Weldon. The IDEX Fire & Safety brands represent business units of IDEX Corporation [NYSE: IEX], an applied solutions company specializing in fluid and metering technologies; health and science technologies; and fire, safety and other diversified products. tame-the-beast.com