Thomson, GA Firefighters Enjoy Results of $15,000 Station Makeover from California Casualty

San Mateo, February 8, 2013. . . The crew at the Thomson, GA firehouse was pretty good natured about their “home away from home.” They made do with the sagging twin-sized Murphy beds and they’d stopped noticing the duct tape holding together the leather chairs in the common room. Doing laundry was a chore they could easily avoid, because there were no machines. Watching TV on the old tube-style sets wasn’t all that bad.

Today the firehouse exterior is unchanged, but inside the building is another story.

That’s because Thomson firefighter Ron Cody entered the California Casualty Firehouse Makeover last year – and among more than 9,000 entries received, his was the one randomly selected as winner.

“The Firehouse Makeover was created in honor of the hard work and sacrifice of these first responders,” said California Casualty executive Mike McCormick. “We believe they deserve a warm, inviting and functional space to relax and recharge in when they’re not out on call.”

Ron Cody felt “pretty lucky” to have won the makeover for the Thomson firehouse. “Now, each time we walk through the door, it’s going to bring a smile to our faces. It looks great,” he said. Indeed, Cody and his colleagues were beaming when they toured the firehouse during the “reveal” on January 31.

Inside they discovered comfortable, full-sized mattresses, two new flat screen televisions, washers and dryers, new seating and dining furniture, dishwasher and stove, fresh coats of colorful paint on the walls and more.

Several supporting sponsors helped achieve the dramatic changes in the firehouse. Maytag donated the appliances, Sherwin-Williams provided the paint, FireRescueTV donated a 42-inch flat screen as well as a subscription to its closed circuit channel and playback equipment, and EON Office managed the design and facility makeover.

Another Firehouse Makeover contest will launch in April and run through September 30, 2013.

California Casualty provides auto and home insurance exclusively to educators, law enforcement, firefighters and nurses in 44 states. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with service centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas. Learn more at www.calcas.com.