Emergency Vehicles to Fill the Streets on Thursday

On Thursday, the streets of Foster City will be filled with the lights and sirens of more than 30 emergency vehicles.

In a departure from their normal emergency response, these emergency vehicles are participating in the annual Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation Peninsula Relay, which collects funds to provide services for burn victims.

Starting in San Jose and ending in San Francisco, the relay stops at local fire departments on the peninsula to collect money that has been raised for the foundation. Much of the funding goes to support Champ Camp, where children who are burn survivors get away for a week with other kids with similar injuries. The Foster City Firefighters’ Association conducts fundraisers and collects monetary donations for this worthy charity throughout the year.

The relay includes old and new fire apparatus from peninsula fire departments, and private citizens. The California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies also play a big part in the relay by providing traffic assistance for the relay.

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation derives its name and inspiration from an 8-year-old child, Alisa Ann, who was fatally burned in a common backyard barbecue accident. Founded in 1971, the Burn Foundation works in partnership with firefighters, educators and burn care professionals to develop innovative programs and services.

There are 1.25 million burn injuries each year in the United States. In California each year, 10,000 people are burned severely enough to require medical attention; 4,500 are children. The Burn Foundation's survivor assistance programs are designed to relieve emotional suffering, create social opportunities and help build the skills necessary to cope in a society that highly values physical appearance.