Actor Kyle Chandler to Help Raise Funds, Awareness for Texas Volunteer Firefighters as Spokesperson for PSA Campaigns

Friday Night Lights, Super 8 Star Urges Texans to Support the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund, Become a Volunteer Firefighter

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Actor Kyle Chandler, best known recently for his roles as Coach Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights and Deputy Jackson Lamb in Super 8, will serve as spokesperson for two public service campaigns to help raise awareness and funds for Texas' 1,400 volunteer fire departments.  

"Kyle is stepping up in a big way to help raise funds and awareness for volunteer fire departments all across our state," said Chris Barron, Executive Director of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas. "We're thrilled to have the added star power to draw additional attention to a critical cause."

Chandler taped the PSAs in Austin this week: "We Care," emphasizes the urgent funding and equipment needs of volunteer firefighters; and, "Become a Volunteer Firefighter" urges Texans to join first responders as volunteer firefighters in their local communities.

"It's an honor to support our volunteer firefighters," Chandler said. "And, when Texans learn that more than 77 percent of fire departments in our state are staffed by volunteers, I hope they'll join me in donating to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund and also consider giving their time in service to their local volunteer fire department."

The Texas Wildfire Relief Fund is a statewide non-profit that is working to raise funds and awareness about the ongoing crisis facing first responders battling wildfires across Texas.

Eighty-six percent of the state's volunteer firefighters use personal funds for their departments' safety equipment and supply needs. As Texas struggles with one of the worst droughts and wildfire seasons in state history, these volunteer first responders and their limited budgets are stretched thin.

The PSA campaigns are scheduled to begin airing in Fall 2011.

Follow SFFMA on Facebook (Fb.me/SFFMA) and Twitter (@sffma) for a sneak peek and behind the scenes look at the Kyle Chandler volunteer firefighter PSAs.

Secure, tax-deductible online donations to the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund can be made by visiting, www.txwildfirerelief.org.

Texans interested in service as a volunteer firefighter in their local community should visit the SFFMA website at www.sffma.org for more information.

Texas Wildfire Relief Fund Media Contact: Kelsey Coleman, (512) 236-1001

The Texas Wildfire Relief Fund is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 committed to raising awareness and support for the volunteer fire departments' ongoing efforts to battle Texas wildfires.  Donations and information is online at www.txwildfirerelief.org .

The State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas (SFFMA) is one of the largest trade associations in Texas. The 135-year-old organization is the oldest and the largest fire and EMS service association in the state. Membership includes 1,200 fire, EMS and International departments, more than 21,000 individual members and 80 industrial fire brigades.  SFFMA is online at www.sffma.org , on Twitter @sffma and on Facebook.com/SFFMA.

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