Protect the Protectors: State Farm delivers safety devices to Rosewood Heights Firefighters

ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS - State Farm Insurance gifted approximately 35 volunteer firefighters Canary home security devices Monday evening.

The devices are part of State Farm's Protect the Protectors campaign, which is designed to provide security to first responders across the United States so "that they too can know that their homes and loved ones are safe and secure." The devices, valued at $250 a piece, are security devices, which connect to a home's wi-fi and can be reached via smartphone as well.

Rosewood Heights Fire Chief Tim Bunt said State Farm decided to give the security systems to his department following a June 2017 medical call during which the all-volunteer department was able to save the life of Martin Pilcic, who had fallen into cardiac arrest. Pilcic was able to pass out the devices Monday evening at the department's monthly meeting.

"We had a call to a residence in Rosewood Heights," Bunt said. "We responded to someone with problems breathing and a heart attack. He went into cardiac arrest, so we started treating him and giving him CPR. By the time we got him to the hospital, he was talking to us. I guess his family members contacted State Farm, and State Farm took the story and ran with it."

In a release from State Farm, the company said the efforts to save Pilcic were not the only successful techniques used by the department to save lives of people in the community. In a release, State Farm said a child once saved by Bunt is now a volunteer firefighter himself. It also said the department routinely returns to the homes of people they have helped to offer assistance around the house.

More like this:

Thermal Camera Helps Bethalto Firefighters Find Hidden Stove Fire

Jun 12, 2026

Jerseyville Approves Rezoning, Special Use For Future Solar Farm

Jun 9, 2026

East Alton Duplex Fire Displaces Residents On Whitelaw

May 28, 2026

Rollover Crash on Route 111 Sends Two to Hospital Wednesday Morning

Mar 25, 2026

High Winds Fuel Multi-Home Fire in Bethalto Sunday Evening

Mar 22, 2026