Circuit City Announces Ten Firehouse Finalists in 'firedog(SM) Across America' Campaign; Departments Will Receive $20,000 Each, Now Eligible for Larger Prize

RICHMOND, Va., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Circuit City's firedog(SM) services today named ten firehouse finalists in its "firedog(SM) Across America" essay contest, which honors the nation's firefighters for dedicated service to their communities. Each finalist will receive $20,000 for much-needed equipment and the corresponding essay writer will receive a home "techover" worth $10,000, courtesy of Circuit City's firedog(SM) services team.

"At Circuit City we're committed to helping our communities and we're proud to give America the opportunity to honor firefighters," said Philip J. Schoonover, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Circuit City Stores, Inc. "The men and women described in these essays have touched their communities in a multitude of ways through their selfless acts of bravery and dedication. Circuit City is pleased to help recognize their devotion to public service."

The ten "firedog(SM) Across America" finalists were chosen from a pool of 5,082 essays submitted between December 6, 2006 and March 31, 2007. The essays describe the various ways these everyday heroes go above and beyond the call of duty.

The public now will have the opportunity to choose a grand prize winner from among the finalists. In alphabetical order, the top ten finalists are:

Chesapeake Fire Station #15 - Chesapeake, VA A Virginia fire station guides troubled youths on the road to self- discovery with a unique outdoor adventure program that teaches important life skills, including coping, problem solving, trust, teamwork and communication. Chickahominy Volunteer Fire Department Station 10 - Ashland, VA A young man with Down syndrome sees his lifelong dream come true when a Virginia firehouse asks him to join its squad. Contra Costa County Engine 83 - Antioch, CA California firefighters risk their own safety to assist a local police officer shot in the line of duty, comforting the injured officer in his final moments of life even while the gunman is still at large. Dover Fire & Rescue - Dover, NH A New Hampshire firehouse exemplifies brotherhood when it reaches to support a squad member's family after he's deployed to Iraq with the National Guard. Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department - Keeseville, NY Despite limited financial resources, a local rescue squad leads a ten-day search to recover the body of a missing rafter lost on New York's Au Sable River long after federal, state and county rescue agencies had given up hope. Newportville Fire Company No.1- Levittown, PA A firehouse brings joy to a local 4-year-old with terminal brain cancer by naming him Honorary Fire Chief, inspiring the squad and winning the affection of the entire Pennsylvania community. Reminderville Fire Department - Reminderville, OH An entire Ohio firehouse walks in the American Cancer Society's 24-hour- long Relay for Life and shocks bystanders by running - in full gear - the final 30 minutes of the course. Rockaway Point Fire Department - Breezy Point, NY New York station demonstrates unyielding commitment to public service with contributions to the 9-11 recovery efforts and annual participation in the "Wounded Warriors" event, which hosts injured Iraq War veterans from Walter Reed Army Medical Center. San Diego Rural Fire Station #76 - El Cajon, CA A firefighter turns his Harbison Canyon home into a temporary firehouse when Firestorm 2003 destroys everything in its path including his squad's station and equipment. West Jackson County Volunteer Fire Department - Biloxi, MS Concerned citizens-turned-firefighters lead a grassroots effort to bring fire safety to a small Mississippi town and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina become an integral part of the disaster recovery process.

For nominating their local firehouses, the ten winning essay writers will receive a home "techover" worth $10,000, courtesy of Circuit City and its vendor partners. Prizes will include an LG 50" Flat Screen TV, HP 17" LCD flat panel monitor, HP Pavilion Media Center TV PC, an Microsoft Xbox 360, an Epson printer, a Monster universal remote, a Linksys wireless router, Microsoft PC software and firedog(SM) home theater and PC services installation.

The ten firehouse finalists are now eligible to win additional funding during the final stage of the campaign when America votes for a $100,000 grand prize winner. From April 28 to May 13, Americans can visit http://www.firedog.com/ to view all 10 firehouse finalists' stories and vote for their favorite. At the culmination of the voting stage, the firehouse with the most votes will win the grand prize. The grand prize winner will be announced the week of May 14, 2007.

For each new online vote, Circuit City will donate an additional Dollar into a shared prize pool, up to $250,000. All ten finalists will split the shared prize pool proportionally based on votes cast.

Communities are invited to support their local firehouses through the online voting portion of the contest. For more information on "firedog(SM) Across America," visit http://www.firedog.com/.

About firedog(SM)

Circuit City Stores, Inc. launched its firedog(SM) brand in response to a growing public demand for help with using and enjoying electronic products. firedog(SM) provides a new level of personal computer services, home theater installations and integration of home electronics.

About Circuit City Stores, Inc.

Circuit City Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics and related services. The domestic segment operates through 643 Superstores and 12 other locations in 158 U.S. markets. The international segment operates through approximately 800 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Circuit City also operates Web sites at http://www.circuitcity.com/, http://www.thesourcecc.ca/ and at http://www.firedog.com/.

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