Free Silicone Bands for First Responders
We've teamed up with Jewelry Innovations, manufacturer and distributer of fine jewelry and developer of high-tech jewelry alloys, to help first responders stay safe while wearing jewelry on the job. The company is providing free silicone rings for America’s first responders – police, firefighters and paramedics – along with ring removal tools, instructions, and basic ring safety tips for both on and off the job.
“The program’s goal is to help keep safe the ones who keep all of us safe” said Harry Rosenthal, CEO of Jewelry Innovations. “We started this pretty casually in one small city, and it just took off. Now there are retailers sponsoring first responders in communities all across America.”
“I’ve heard so many horror stories of ring removal in the field,” said our owner Chris Wattsson. “As a pyrotechnician, I get to meet a lot of the men and women serving our community as first responders. When I heard about this program, I knew it was something I wanted to provide to first responders in Marquette County, and eventually the entire Upper Peninsula.”
We worked with Jewelry Innovations to assemble kits that include ring removal equipment and safety instructions. This year, we plan to get the safety tools to 10 organizations, including EMS, Fire Departments, Sheriff and the US Coast Guard. "We're starting with EMS," Chris said, "as they focus on stabilizing injuries right away. If there's an injury and the ring needs to come off, they will likely be there. In October, I'll be getting kits for Fire Departments, Sheriff Special Ops and the US Coast Guard in Marquette. Each year, I'd like to focus on a different counties, eventually getting these safety tools to all first responders in the Upper Peninsula."
In addition, all EMS, Fire Fighters, Police Officers and Coast Guard members can stop into Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers with proof of their status as a first responder (badge, employee ID card, etc.) to order a free silicone rubber ring. All first responders serving the Upper Peninsula are welcome order. We plan to order at least quarterly.
“There are circumstances in which wearing a metal ring is just not safe, including the jobs of most police, firefighters and paramedics. We hope that providing these first responders with silicone rubber rings will help keep them just a little bit safer on the job. It’s a way for the jewelry industry to show its appreciation to first responders and give something back to the community.”