NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PAT A. DENNEN
Fire Chief /
County Fire Warden
DATE: January 24, 2008
CONTACT: Tracey Martinez, Public Information Officer
(909) 386-8408, 800-426-8689, pager #3307
GARTH BROOKS BECOMES HONORARY FIREFIGHTER
Holds Benefit Concert for Fire Victims
On behalf of Southern California Fire Chiefs, San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen pronounced Garth
Brooks an Honorary Firefighter. Chief Dennen presented Mr. Brooks with a plaque during a press conference
held at the Staples Center earlier today, stating “You opened your heart to those in need, and for that, I can’t
express our gratitude enough. Mr. Brooks, Southern California thanks you, and the fire service throughout the
United States thanks you. We officially consider you an honorary firefighter.”
Chief Dennen and Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman spoke of the devastating fires that roared
through Southern California last fall, burning over 518,000 acres and destroying over 3,100 homes. Ten
civilians lost their lives and 130 firefighters were injured. They spoke of the estimated half million homes that
firefighters saved. Chief Dennen spoke of how the lives of those affected by these fires will be forever altered.
Garth Brooks will be playing an unprecedented five concerts in two days at the Staples Center in Los Angeles;
January 25th, at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and January 26th at 1:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Mr. Brooks
has set a goal to raise $10 million dollars for the recent fire victims and to assist with the needs of Southern
California fire agencies. The Friday concert will be televised by CBS, where citizens can call in and donate
money to the cause. Mr. Brooks has pledged all proceeds from ticket sales, merchandise sales, etc. will go
towards the fund. For further information, refer to the Staples Center website at www.staplescenter.com.
“I applaud Mr. Brooks for his generosity and efforts in helping the fire victims of Southern California. This
benefit concert will help so many fire victims get back on their feet. Mr. Brooks is not only an amazing
entertainer, he is genuinely a kind, caring individual,” stated Chief Dennen.
For photos of today’s presentation, please visit our website at www.sbcfire.org, under latest news. Photos
courtesy of Juan O’Campo of Bernstein & Associates.
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157 West Fifth Street, 2nd Floor, San Bernardino, Ca. 92415-0451