AUGUSTA, Ga., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Denis Leary, star of FX Network's firefighter drama "Rescue Me" and founder of the Leary Firefighters Foundation, announced a partnership with Frigidaire appliances to help complete the restoration of New Orleans firehouses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina more than two years ago. The restoration project will enable firefighters to move out of temporary trailer homes and back into their stations. Plus, it serves as a major victory for the city, which will gain faster emergency response times and improved morale.

The New Orleans Fire Department lost 22 out of its 33 firehouses to flooding in Katrina's wake, and several of them have been revived by the Leary Firefighters Foundation since March 2007. Now, with a Frigidaire donation, the 11 remaining firehouses will be completed by 2008, making working around the clock more bearable.

"The kitchen is the heart of the firehouse -- a gathering place for crews to decompress and refuel in between fire calls," said District Chief of the New Orleans Fire Department Timothy McConnell. "With two-alarm blazes up by 300 percent since the hurricane, this space is even more vital than before, which is why we are so thankful that Frigidaire stepped in to help."

THE KITCHEN RESCUE PLAN

New Orleans firefighters have such love for their kitchens that many of the crews have turned the hurricane's devastation into an opportunity to tear down walls and enlarge their food preparation and dining spaces. Eleven of the newly renovated kitchens will be outfitted with a full suite of Frigidaire Professional Series EasyCare(TM) Genuine Stainless Steel appliances for the stylish look of stainless without the messy fingerprints. All kitchen suites include a refrigerator, freestanding range, microwave and icemaker. Each house also will receive three additional refrigerators, so off-duty firefighters have a place to store their food until their next shift. The laundry room will get a lift, as well, with energy-efficient Frigidaire Affinity(TM) front-loading washers and dryers, allowing firemen to launder their gear immediately after returning from a blaze. This is especially important as fighting fires can contaminate clothing, and the new machines' king-size capacity allows firefighters to complete two baskets of laundry per load.

"Frigidaire takes special joy in the company's ability to make a difference in New Orleans, especially since we know the appliances will get good use," said Tom Bennett, Frigidaire Business Director. "Some of the best food comes out of New Orleans kitchens, so it's only natural that the city's firefighters, who are known to be excellent cooks, should be outfitted with Frigidaire Professional Series appliances."

FIRE UP THE FRIGIDAIRE KITCHEN

Last month, the New Orleans firefighters at Engine 38 held a housewarming party to enjoy one of the first Frigidaire kitchens to be installed. New Orleans Fire Department Captain Mike Gowland, a locally renowned chef and firehouse cook introduced a new signature "Frigidaire Firehouse Gumbo" recipe for the occasion. To help home cooks prepare feasts as satisfying as firefighter fare, Frigidaire is constantly innovating its appliances. In fact, the company introduced the following new cooking features this fall:

-- XtraZone(TM) Burner: Strategically placed in the center of a deep sump cooktop, the oval shape allows for better heat coverage on griddles and more effective cooking of Latin cuisine featuring tortillas.

-- SpeedElement(TM): The fastest Frigidaire element to date, the SpeedElement contains a 3,000-watt element (10 percent more wattage than before) that quickly brings liquids to a boil.

-- PureAir(TM) Filter: The first refrigerator filtration system of its kind, this air system uses naturally occurring minerals called zeolites to effectively neutralize the more acidic odors in your refrigerator ... so breakfast doesn't taste like last night's dinner.

Learn more about the firehouse kitchens and how you can help at www.learyfirefighters.org. While there, be sure to check out Captain Gowland's gumbo recipe.

About Frigidaire

Since 1918, families have made Frigidaire a trusted name in home appliances. The brand heritage is rich with quality products and lifestyle-improving innovations. Today, more than ever, Frigidaire provides the pioneering features of tomorrow with an emphasis on quality, trust and service. Visit www.frigidaire.com for more information on Frigidaire products or to download high-resolution product photos.

About The Leary Firefighter Foundation

The Leary Firefighters Foundation was established in 2000 by actor Denis Leary and has directed more than $8 million for programs to support Fire Departments. The organization is dedicated to providing fire departments with funding and resources for up-to-date equipment and training.

Frigidaire

Frigidaire

More from Frigidaire