State Farm gives home security systems to first responders

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press 

Local first responders work hard every day to ensure our safety. This week, Canary and State Farm did their part to help ‘protect the protectors’.
Tuesday afternoon at the Civic Center, State Farm representatives presented a Canary Home Monitoring Device to every police officer and firefighter in Copperas Cove for a total of 73 police officers and 49 firefighters. 
The program, which began in 2015, is called Protect the Protectors. Canary and State Farm have donated thousands of the security devices to first responders in Texas alone. These devices use an app to monitor motion, air quality, and even temperature changes.
“State Farm has a long history of partnering with first responders,” said Gina Wilken, Public Affairs Specialist for State Farm. “It’s really just a way of giving a huge thank you from State Farm and Canary for everything you do.”
Wilken described the first responders as literal heroes without capes. She said that gifting the security devices is their way of thanking those first responders who do so much to take care of the community. They put their lives on the line and they can be called out at any time, day or night, regardless of weather conditions. By gifting the first responders the monitoring devices, State Farm and Canary hope that it can give the first responders some peace of mind that everything is fine back in their own homes.
“Your presence provides peace of mind to all of us,” said State Farm representative Richard Vincent speaking to the room of first responders before presenting them with their devices. “We hope to bring some peace of mind to you as well.”
First responders present at the event expressed their gratitude for State Farm and Canary’s generosity.
“I don’t speak for just myself. The department and everybody are very appreciative,” said Sergeant Kevin Miller, Public Information Officer for the CCPD. “State Farm is a very big company that’s nationwide, for them to choose us is an honor, and we’re very fortunate.”
“We’re humans just like all the citizens we serve,” said Gary Young, CCFD Deputy Chief. “One of the things that helps us be strong…is us knowing that everything at home is ok…And this device that State Farm as well as Canary are giving us another tool that lets us check on our home and know that everything is ok.”
First responders in other areas who have not received a device can reach out to their local State Farm for more information on the program.