HeroFund USA funds tactical headsets for Blue Springs officers

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


A milestone moment resulted in smiles and thankfulness at Monday night's Blue Springs City Council meeting.HeroFundUSA co-founder and CEO Darrell Smith and members and volunteers from his staff were on hand for  the council's weekly meeting. The non-profit organization, located in Blue Springs, is a first responder to first responders.

“We want to do something for first responders that would keep them from getting injured,” Smith said.

“There are many ways for them to get care after they are injured while on duty, but we want to offer care that keeps them safe and equipment that could prevent a tragedy.”

Monday night, Smith presented a check for $8,733 to Blue Springs Police Chief Bob Muenz. The money will be used to purchase new tactical headsets for Blue Springs Police officers.

It was a milestone moment as the celebration was the 100th HeroFundUSA funding request fulfilled over the past 8 ½ years.

"To be a part of the 100th funding request to be filled by HeroFundUSA makes tonight even more special,” the chief said. “I've know Darrell, and have served on his board, and I can't say enough good things about HeroFundUSA and the work they do.”

HeroFund USA, Inc., is a private funding source for first-responder safety equipment and resources.

“We want to fill the gap to prevent critical injuries to our local heroes,” Smith said.

HeroFundUSA, headquartered in Blue Springs, doesn’t take government grants. All funds are raised via local fundraising events and from donors.
 
Some of the equipment HeroFundUSA has provided include police body armor, ballistic helmets and shields, outer carrier vests, K9 vests and related safety gear, drones, safety partitions, communication equipment, throw ropes and related water rescue gear.For firefighters, that includes bunker/turnout gear, helmets and headlights, body armor, thermal imaging cameras, drones, communication equipment, gas detection meters, water rescue gear, throw ropes and particulate-blocking hoods.

And for EMS personnel, gloves, face shields, body armor and ballistic helmets.

“We are fully self-sustained in our fundraising efforts with 100 percent of our public support and fundraising event income used to support mission services,” Smith added.

Blue Springs special force team leader Alex McIntyre, has helped coordinate this donation effort.

“I met Darrell several years ago at a Hero Fund fundraiser,” McIntyre said. “And he told me 'If the department needs anything, give me a call,' so I did.

“And today we no longer have to worry about earpieces falling out of our headsets thanks to HeroFundUSA. Thank you so much!"

To find out more about HeroFundUSA, call Smith at 816-812-1965 or go to herofundusa.org.

Editor's note: The Grain Valley news will have a future story on how HeroFundUSA helped provide equipment to the Grain Valley Police Department. 

Blue Springs Police Chief Bob Muenz, left, and HeroFundUSA co-founder and CEO Darrell Smith enjoy a milestone moment at Monday night's Blue Springs City Council meeting. Smith presented Muenz a check for $8,733 that will be used to purchase tactical headsets for officers in Blue Springs. It was the 100th check HeroFundUSA has presented to first responders in the past 8 ½ years. Photo courtesy Bill Althaus