Local insurance agents visited the Brownwood Fire Department Thursday morning to provide teddy bears for children involved in traumatic incidents.  State Farm agents Larry Pullin, Mike Hall and Larry Holder brought a box of 50 State Farm teddy bears for firefighters to give to children for comfort during incidents such as house fires, car wrecks and other traumatic situations.

“These comfort bears are really helpful, especially when parents aren’t around, it gives the children something to hold on to, to give them comfort,” Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright stated.  “It’s a gift that we would prefer not to have to give, but a standard of trust, helping the firefighters comfort children.”

Albright explained that the last bear the department had on hand was given out during a wreck this past February involving a school bus full of young Brownwood ISD students.

Agent Mike Hall stated that the local State Farm agents have been donating these bears for several years.  Larry Holder stated that they give these bears to police, fire and EMS.

“50 bears were delivered today,” said Holder.  “We local State Farm agents feel like it is something we can use to serve the community.”  Holder stated that he hopes these 50 bears last the Brownwood Fire Department a long time, hoping that there won’t be many incidents of trauma involving children in the coming months.

State Farm is also the sponsor of the National Arson Dog Program, which provided Brownwood Fire Department and Fire Marshal Buddy Preston with BFD’s arson dog Nika and annual training.  Holder stated that it is a big deal for a town the size of Brownwood to have an arson dog and to be offer her services to the surrounding area.

Pictured above are (standing, left to right) Mike Hall, Chief Del Albright, Assistant Chief Grady Shuey, Larry Pullin, (front row) Fire Marshal Buddy Preston, Nika, and Larry Holder.