Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) announced today that it has donated
$500,000 to the State of California’s
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to help support
the cost of battling the state’s severe
wildfires this year.
“On behalf of the people of California, I
offer Chevron my sincere thanks for its generous donation to support our
state’s firefighting efforts in the face of
one of the most difficult and costly fire seasons in history,”
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said. “California
has the most courageous and best trained firefighters in the world, and
we must ensure they are equipped with the resources needed to protect
our communities. The cooperation during this year’s
fires has been fantastic, and I am pleased to see private support
because as Californians, we are all in this situation together.”
The Chevron donation is in response to the more than 2,000 fires this
summer that engulfed nearly 1.2 million acres across the state –
several times the annual average – and
required the response of firefighters from CAL FIRE, local firefighters
and other volunteers.
“As a California company, we’re
grateful for the courage and determination of California firefighters
who put themselves at risk to protect our state and its resources,”
said Chevron vice chairman Peter Robertson. “This
contribution is, in part, recognition of their outstanding public
service.”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is dedicated
to the fire protection and stewardship of more than 31 million acres of
California's privately-owned wildlands. The Department's firefighters,
fire engines, and aircraft respond to an average of more than 5,600
wildland fires each year. Those fires burn more than 172,000 acres
annually.
“I am pleased with this demonstration of
Chevron's commitment to public safety and partnership with CAL FIRE,”
said Chief Ruben Grijalva. “Wildfires and
other disasters strike California all too often. With support from
public and private organizations, such as Chevron, CAL FIRE stands ready
to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters that may impact
all Californians. Chevron's demonstration of corporate responsibility
serves as a great example of public/private partnerships within
California's emergency response community.”
Chevron has a history of providing support when natural disasters occur
in the state, most recently a $500,000 grant from the Chevron Foundation
in October 2007 for relief efforts related to the Southern California
wildfires. In addition to the monetary support in 2007, Chevron also
provided 20,000 bottles of water, 11,500 meals and a firefighting team
and engine was dispatched from the Richmond Refinery.
To further support fire safety and prevention, Chevron will introduce a
fire truck as its next Chevron Toy Car with packaging that will include
fire safety tips for children.
About Chevron in California
Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy
companies with subsidiaries that conduct business across the globe. A
California-based company that has continuously operated in the state
since 1881, Chevron is headquartered in San Ramon and employs more than
10,000 of its 59,000-person global workforce within the state. Chevron
explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas;
refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy
products and services; manufactures and sells petrochemical products;
generates power and produces geothermal energy; and develops and
commercializes the energy resources of the future, including biofuels
and other renewables. Chevron also provides support to public and
private organizations in California with a shared focus of driving
long-term social and economic progress. More information on Chevron is
available at www.chevron.com.
Chevron Corporation
Kimberly Beman, +1-925-842-2581
