When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, their loved ones are left with unique challenges as they begin to rebuild their lives. Fortunately, survivors of fallen firefighters have a place to go each year to find support, comfort, and resources they need as well as the chance to make friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The 8th annual Fire Service Survivors Conference will be held April 14-17, 2013, in Phoenix, Arizona. Survivors will attend workshops on a variety of topics related to grief, wellness, self-care, practical skills, and leisure. They will spend time getting to know one another in small groups, during meals, sitting around the pool, and at an evening reception.

The conference is open to adult survivors of firefighters who have been honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Spouses, significant others, parents, siblings, and adult children are invited to attend. Workshops, lodging, and some transportation costs are provided through a grant from the Department of Justice.

If you are interested in attending the 2013 conference or need more information, please contact Linda Hurley at lhurley@firehero.org or (301) 447-7693. To register online, go to: www.regonline.com/2013survivorsconference.

Here's what a few survivors who attended previous conferences had to say:

Thank you to the NFFF once again for an awesome job on the Survivors Conference!!! Your dedication and hard work is endless and very much appreciated by the Survivors across the nation. You are our inspiration to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

No matter how far out we are, we can always offer support and comfort to others. Sometimes for those who are still new to the journey it's a blessing just to see someone who has survived for 5, 10, or 20 years...it reassures them that they can, too!

This was my first conference. I had a wonderful week. I met a new fire service family, and everyone is just great. Everything was just perfect from the pick up to the departure.

As survivors we come together to honor our firefighters and to support one another. The bond within this family only grows stronger each time we gather.

My time here in Florida has ended; however, the memories, the laughter and the blessings will forever be with me!! With the help of my survivor family this week, I realize how blessed we were, how blessed we are, and the blessings our future can be.