TAMKO Building Products LLC gave a very public and much deserved ‘thank you’ to local firefighters in several of the communities where TAMKO operates. Four donations of $1,000 each were made recently by TAMKO to fire departments in Columbus and Phillipsburg, Kansas, where TAMKO has long-term manufacturing facilities; in Galena, Kansas, where TAMKO has its executive headquarters; and in Joplin, Missouri, where TAMKO was founded more than 75 years ago and has multiple corporate campus offices and manufacturing locations. The donations come in recognition of International Firefighters’ Day, observed annually on May 4, as an expression of gratitude to the firefighters, many of them volunteers, who dedicate their lives to keeping their respective communities safe.

“We all benefit daily from the dedication of first responders and their commitment to service above self,” said David Humphreys, TAMKO’s Chairman and CEO. “It’s our honor to celebrate firefighters and thank them for their sacrifices and contributions they’ve made to our communities.”

“We’re glad TAMKO supports first responders and is able to make this happen,” said Steven Burton, Fire Chief of the Columbus, Kansas Fire Department, who is also the son of a longtime TAMKO Columbus employee – Steve Burton (senior) who volunteers as Assistant Fire Chief for the department. TAMKO has been a proud member of the Columbus community for nearly 25 years and was recently honored with a business growth award in the Southeast Kansas town.

The donation to the Columbus Fire Department covers the cost to upgrade their accountability system, which will improve safety for all firefighters responding to on-site emergencies.

Like Columbus, the fire departments in Galena, Phillipsburg and Joplin also plan to use the TAMKO donations to fund various equipment upgrades for their firefighters.

“We appreciate what TAMKO does,” said Steve Hall, Fire Chief of the Galena, Kansas Fire Department. “We’re volunteer, and this goes a long way to help us.”

TAMKO’s dedication to supporting first responders through charitable giving has been a long-standing priority showcased by many past donations, and emphasized in the America’s Shingle campaign, which highlights TAMKO’s American manufacturing and commitment to its communities across the USA, including continuous support for veterans and first responders. TAMKO even created a unique sponsorship, the Red, White, and Blue salute, with a television news station in Joplin to honor a first responder or veteran in every news cast. TAMKO is also proud to support its many employees who also serve or volunteer as firefighters in the communities where TAMKO operates. These dedicated TAMKO employees have more than 150 years of combined service to local fire departments in communities across the nation.