Preventing First Responder Injuries in the Line of Duty

State Farm's (R) 'Auto Design & Extrication Forum 2006' Showcases Lifesaving

                       Crash Site Rescue Techniques

  WHAT:     State Farm(R), the nation's largest automobile insurer, is
            strengthening its commitment to automotive safety by providing
            an educational forum for Fire departments, Emergency Medical
            Service (EMS) units, and first responders on the potential
            dangers they face while saving the lives of others.

            State Farm's Vehicle Research Facility (VRF) - in conjunction
            with the Illinois Fire Service Institute and extrication expert
            Ron Moore of the McKinney, TX Fire Department - will share a
            wealth of automotive expertise and demonstrate proper
            extrication techniques through the "Auto Design & Extrication
            Forum 2006."  This is the second of what State Farm hopes to be
            a yearly forum providing updated information on modern vehicle
            technology to vehicle rescue personnel.

            During the program, extrication simulations will give first
            responders a taste of situations they may encounter in the
            field. Topics featured during the program will include the
            design and construction of side impact areas with high-strength
            materials which present difficulties to cut through, potential
            hazards of dual-stage airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, and
            extrication demonstrations -- topics that can directly affect an
            extrication and can put the victim and the rescue professional
            at risk.

            Note to TV producers: B-roll available via satellite feed (see
            information below).

  WHY:      State Farm's Vehicle Research Facility has a team of in-house
            automotive experts who carefully study new vehicles in the areas
            of safety design and construction.  Through their extensive
            research, the VRF is able to provide up-to-date information on
            vehicle technology that pose potential threats and challenges to
            rescue workers.

  WHO:      Ron Moore, Battalion Chief McKinney, TX Fire Department
            Duane Bales, Program Director -Vehicle/Machinery Extrication for
             the Illinois Fire Service Institute
            Earl Hyser, Superintendent of State Farm's Vehicle Research
             Facility

  VISUALS:  Satellite broadcast of the educational forum
            On-site automotive extrication simulations conducted by the
             Illinois Fire Service Institute
            Production stills
            Supporting B-roll available at AMC 6 K22 analog

  WHEN:     Wednesday, June 21 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CDT and
            Thursday, June 22 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CDT

  MEDIA CONTACTS:    Krista Clark       Kip Diggs
                     GolinHarris        State Farm
                     312/729-4453       309/766-8188

PRNewswire -- June 21