Newsletter BOX: Hispanic firefighters promote fire safety with race honoring fallen colleagues

FOR Minerva Rodriguez

IMMEDIATE (214) 632-9035

RELEASE minerva@mrrpr.com

CONTACT: Sal Morales

September 26, 2013 (682) 465-2185

svm1953@gmail.com

Hispanic firefighters promote fire safety with race honoring fallen colleagues

The Bravest Race kicks off National Fire Prevention Week

Dallas—The Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association will kick off the 2013 National Fire Prevention Week in Dallas with the inaugural The Bravest Race 5K run/walk through West Dallas to raise awareness about fire prevention and safety education.

The kickoff for The Bravest Race will be at 8a.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at Trinity Groves (3015 Gulden Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75212), marking the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 6-12, 2013. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. National Fire Prevention Week is observed to promote fire safety and education locally and at a national level. This year’s race is dedicated to the fallen firefighters of Texas.

The goal for The Bravest Race is to have 1,000 runners/walkers representing fire departments, police departments, military groups and the community participating to raise awareness about fire prevention, to honor Texas’ firefighters and to raise money for fire and safety education in the community.

In addition to the race, the event will feature a fire engine pull challenge starting at 10:30 a.m. During The Bravest Race Fire Engine Pull Challenge, teams of eight to 12 firefighters will pull a 45,000-‐pound fire truck for 100 feet. The team with the fastest pull time will be named the 2013 Bravest Race Fire Engine Pull Champion.

“Fires can be devastating events for families and businesses, but many are preventable if people know about fire--‐safe behaviors,” said Sal Morales, founder of the Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association and the National Association of Hispanic Firefighters. “We wanted to highlight fire prevention safety and education in our community by establishing an event that will call attention to the educational opportunities offered locally and nationally during National Fire Prevention Week.

“This year, we also wanted to honor the heroism of firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty in our community, working to save lives and property,” said Joe Veracruz, president of the Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association. “We look forward to seeing the community come out in support of The Bravest Race and Firefighters and other first responders who serve the citizens of Dallas--‐Fort

Worth everyday.”

The Bravest Race will culminate in a health and safety fair that will be open to race participants and spectators. Being in good physical condition is paramount for firefighters as they perform their duties, which is why the Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association supports programs that highlight the benefits of exercise and healthy eating habits.

As emergency first--‐responders, firefighters regularly see the effects of poor health caused by lack of exercise and a poor diet. That is why through local fire departments, the DHFA members seek to sponsor and support public education programs that focus on safe and healthy behaviors in the communities they serve. The race and the health and safety fair will ensure that the community is aware of fire--‐safe behaviors, healthy lifestyle options, and the need for fire safety education in the Dallas area. The Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association is a nonprofit (501(c)3) organization dedicated to promoting safety education and reducing death and property loss due to fire.

Sponsors of The Bravest Race include Univision 23, Highland Capital Management, Juan Hernandez Law P.C., Latino Peace Officers Association, Ford Motor Company, Dallas Firefighters Association and Dallas Fire Rescue.

For more information about The Bravest Race, visit www.bravestrace.com.

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