Supporting the Firefighters and Victims (Horse, Human, and Other) During the LA Wildfire Disaster
Burbank, CA (January 19, 2025) – All equestrians, animal lovers, and humanitarians have felt an excruciating helpless watching the devastation spread like literal wildfire across the state of California in the past few weeks. There are few natural disasters as deadly, unpredictable, and all-consuming as fire, and the ones currently burning on the west coast are a unique type fueled by a multitude of conditions. As the countryside of California is being ravaged, there are millions in desperate need of support and a call to safety to barns across the country and the world.
As a start-up founded by firefighters and equestrians less than a year ago, FireHorse Rescue Kits is dedicated to their vision of enhancing barn fire safety and supporting equestrians, wildlife rescues, and firefighters across the nation. As part of this vision, they will be dedicating $100 from every purchase to verified organizations that will provide direct relief and financial support to frontline firefighters and personnel, equestrians affected by the tragedy, and animal/wildlife rescues who are actively fighting to save lives endangered by the wildfires.
Please consider donating to these causes, and others if possible, to help California recover from this terrible loss.
Equestrian Aid Foundation
www.EquestrianAidFoundation.org/
The Equestrian Aid Foundation assists people from all corners of the horse world within the United States who are coping with catastrophic injury, illness, or occurrence.
California Fire Foundation
www.CAFireFoundation.org
The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters. and the communities they protect.
Greater Good Charities
www.GreaterGood.org
Providing emergency aid to those affected by the Southern California wildfires and other initiatives that help people, pets, & the planet
Human Society of the United States
www.HumaneSociety.org
Animal protection and animal welfare organization working to end suffering for all animals, with an Emergency Relief Fund for all species
FireHorse Rescue Kits is the Official Rescue Kit of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, a relationship that began in the summer of 2024. While wildfires are their own unique type of burn, it is a warning to all barn owners as daily fire safety is commonly overlooked in equestrian and agricultural settings. Every barn contains thousands of pounds of dry fuel in the form of hay, shavings, wood, blankets, grain, and dust that when combined with electrical outlets, space heaters, running fans, etc., create a perfect storm for a fire. Designed by firefighters and horse industry professionals, FireHorse Rescue Kits gives every barn the tools for enhanced fire safety and horse evacuation, including their patent-pending equine blindfold. FireHorse Rescue Kits are currently protecting barns at Wellington International, The Kentucky Horse Park, TerraNova Equestrian Center, and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, as well as in numerous private facilities nationwide. By purchasing a Rescue Kit, your barn receives a lifetime of fire safety benefits plus a $100 donation from your purchase will go to support California wildfire victims.
FireHorse Rescue Kits are currently protecting barns at Wellington International, The Kentucky Horse Park, TerraNova Equestrian Center, and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, as well as in numerous private facilities nationwide
FireHorse Innovation - Patented Products & Equestrian Fire Safety
"Walking into a barn as a firefighter of more than 20 years, the fire safety risks seem both obvious and serious. From running fans to storage of combustible materials, there was no shortage of issues even in the highest end barns in Wellington; add in huge, flighty animals with questionable self-preservation skills and it would seem equestrian facilities as a whole are literal tinderboxes for disaster. As a Battalion Chief at a multi-city fire department in Florida, we do regular community risk assessments. After that visit to a local equestrian facility in Wellington, it was clear there could be an additional measure of safety & preparedness brought to equestrians across the country and world.
The first goal was to give equestrians (grooms, riders, owners, etc.) easy access to functional and simple fire prevention tools. Most barns take some fire safety precautions, like strategically placed fire extinguishers, storage practices, and enclosed fans. But there are major flaws with some of these ideas and equipment. Extinguishers become inoperable or aren’t readily available, lost in the day-to-day grind of the barn, or are difficult for the average equestrian to operate. Storing hay and other materials outside the main barn structure is more safe, but less efficient. Running fans with enclosed motors can be expensive. So rather than attempt to restructure how equestrian facilities operate, we decided to bring advanced fire safety to the barn in the form of a fire rescue kit. Similar in concept to a first aid kit, these heavy-duty cases secure and protect a selection of safety items, including spray can-type extinguishers, a fire blanket, hay thermometer, and more. They are designed to be prominently hung in barn aisle breezeways, tack rooms, or other high traffic areas to ensure that everyone knows exactly where to go in the event of an emergency. Cut foam protects the equipment from dust, water, sun, and rust, so everything is in exceptional condition at all times.
Where FireHorse Rescue Kits are actively being used as a fire safety and horse evac tool:
Wellington International, "Official Fire Rescue Kit of the 2024 Annual Series"
Kentucky Horse Park, "Official Sponsor of the Herd and Equine Team"
Los Angeles Equestrian Center, "Official Fire Rescue Kit"
TerraNova Equestrian Center, "Official Fire Rescue Kit and Sponsor"
FireHorse Rescue Kits, LLC was founded by career firefighters and lifelong equestrians seeking to bridge the gap between daily barn life and fire safety. Every kit contains a selection of items to be used in a fire or other emergency, and the 100% made-in-the-USA case contains custom foam to protect and prevent damage. Designed to be hung in the main barn breeze way, FireHorse Rescue Kits are an easy way to ensure that every equestrian in the barn is prepared for a potentially dangerous situation.
One of the kit's integral components are patent pending equine blindfolds, developed specifically for use in emergency situations. These horse blindfolds wear like a fly mask and restrict the horse’s vision up to 80%. During fire panic, horses have been known to refuse to leave their stalls or to return to a burning structure seeking safety. FireHorse's blindfolds are intended to allow equestrians or first responders to remove animals safely and intended to reduce injury and panic by removing visual stimulation. They are additionally useful for trailering, for horses sensitive to needles, and to reduce panic when waking up from anesthesia.
Each kit also includes two handheld, point & spray canned extinguishers. These are easy to use for any one, from children to senior citizens, and perfect for small fires, especially hay, shavings, or feed room flames. An excellent alternative to more cumbersome, full sized extinguishers, these also require less maintenance and are readily available in the case.
During fires, the heat can melt or make latches, door knobs, locks, and other metal items impossible to handle or touch. Heat resistant to 1472 degrees and flame retardant, the gloves in every FireHorse Rescue Kit are made of a mix of breathable cotton knitting and double layered fiber with silicone for grip and fire resistance.
These are just a few of the innovative items found in each Rescue Kit. For a full list, visit www.FireHorseRescue.com/whatsinside
For more information on FireHorse Rescue Kits, visit www.FireHorseRescue.com
Follow FireHorse on Facebook and Instagram @firehorserescuekits
Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.Equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+ 1 954 205 7992
