Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, along with Atlas Insurance Agents, Insurance Factors, Jerry Hay, Inc., and Servco Insurance Services, are teaming up to donate $35,840 to partially fund the purchase of a new rescue boat for the Honolulu Fire Department.

The donation will be recognized at a ceremony today at 6 p.m. at the Waikiki Beach Marriott (Kona Moku ballroom).

The Rescue 1 Company has relied on the same boat for 17 years and as the vessel has aged repairs have become more common, HFD officials said.

Fire Chief Kenneth Silva said the new vessel will be a rescue boat with trailer, along with two outboard engines, navigational electronics, and other gear. The boat will play a key role in water rescues from the shoreline up to three miles out to sea.

"This new rescue boat will ensure our firefighters have a reliable tool for many years to come to perform water rescues along the shore," said Silva. "The aging boat used by Rescue 1 Company was in dire need of replacement, and we're happy to receive this donation to help pay for it."

The grant package is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.

The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments. Since 2004, Fireman's Fund has issued grants to over 1,100 different departments totaling more than $20 million.