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CBS, IBEW Honor Fallen Member

April 7, 2011

Jeremy Schultz died after saving his family from a home fire.

CBS offered a tribute in Augusta, Ga., on April 6 to an IBEW freelance sports photographer who died following a heroic effort to protect his longtime girlfriend and two children from a house fire in December.

Washington, D.C., Local 1200 member Jeremy Shultz was critically injured in a sudden blaze that tore through the rear section of his South Carolina home just days after Christmas. While ushering his family away from the fire, Shultz received second- and third-degree burns to more than 90 percent of his body. The family members escaped unharmed, but the house was destroyed.

Shultz died in the hospital on January 28. He was 37.

At the ceremony, IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill will present the union’s Lifesaving Award to the Shultz family in commemoration of the member’s heroism.

Shultz lent his talents to CBS Sports and ESPN, providing coverage of professional and college football as well as NCAA basketball events, including the March Madness tournaments. Network managers and IBEW members said Shultz will be remembered for his professionalism, his extensive knowledge of sports and, mostly, his love for his family.

A donation fund – called “Jeremy’s Fund” – set up by CBS, union members and other friends raised money originally to help support Jeremy through his recovery and now has turned its efforts to supporting his longtime companion Maryann, 4-year-old son Dallas and 11-year-old daughter Cinnamin. 

“This fund and the assistance that so many have helped to provide is a true testament to our industry,” said Local 1200 Business Manager Lil Firmani, who represents around 600 freelance photographers throughout southern states who are covered under the CBS and Fox contracts:

Radio and broadcasting may be a large industry, but we are a small family. When there is a need, everyone jumps in and does what they can.

Neil Ambrosio, a shop steward for the local, was instrumental in getting Shultz into the IBEW.

“When Jeremy had questions about the benefits of joining the local, I stressed to him that we take care of our own,” said Ambrosio, who was instrumental in setting up Jeremy’s Fund:

Not a day that goes by that I don’t think of that statement. And when I’m working on things for the fund, I remind myself that I said that to him. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.

Ambrosio said the fund is a textbook example of parties working together and “simply doing the right thing”:

This accident happened in the middle of a tough contract negotiation. So it was amazing to me that CBS and the IBEW – who are literally on opposite sides of the table – figured out a way to come together and help a family in need.

To make a tax-deductible donation to Jeremy’s Fund, click here.

Read more about Brother Shultz.