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Americans More Willing to Make One-time Donation to Local Fire Department to Fight Terrorism

June 18, 2003

Americans are more willing to make a one-time donation of $50 to their local fire department to ensure it has the most up-to-date anti-terrorism equipment than to their local police department for the same purpose, according to a recent study by Opinion Research Corp.

Sandy Smith

Study participants were asked: "Considering the cutbacks in services at the state and local levels which are taking place in many parts of the country, would you be willing to make a one-time contribution of $50 to ensure that your local (fire department/police department) is equipped with the most up-to-date anti-terrorism equipment available?"

Overall, 42 percent of Americans say they would be willing to make a one-time contribution of $50 to help equip their local fire department with the latest anti-terrorism equipment, while 53 percent are not. However, only 34 percent would be willing to contribute the same amount to their local police department for the same purpose, while 62 percent are opposed.

Women in particular are more willing than men to contribute to their local fire department than the local police department – 45 percent vs. 34 percent -- as are older adults (35 years and older) – 44 percent vs. 32 percent.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.