Don Levine, a former Hasbro executive, (where he conceived and organized the manufacture and introduction of GIJOE) started Real Heroes Inc, inspired by those who assisted after the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City in Apri11995. A former Army platoon sergeant, Levine believed that people were identifying themselves more with community law enforcement than with the military, in a nation that hadn't fought in a world war in about half a century.
In August, 2000, Real Heroes, Inc. began to work directly with the Fire Department of New York to create the "official" action figure collectible of FDNY that would represent the men and women of this department and capture the spirit of their commitment to service. This unique action figure went on sale in January, 2001 at the Fire Zone, a retail store and fire safety education center located at 50 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Manhattan. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each figure benefits the New York Fire Safety and Education Fund. The fund supports FDNY public education and outreach programs designed to teach children, citizens, and firefighters themselves fire safety and ways to prevent fires. |