Our mission is to honor and remember America's fallen fire heroes, to provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.
Online applications are being accepted January 1 – March 1 for the 2022-2023 Sarbanes Scholarship Program, the Alan Patrick Sondej Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Motorola Solutions Foundation Enhanced Scholarship Initiative which provides financial assistance to spouses, life partners, children, and step-children of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
The National Firefighter Life Safety Summit 2022 Planning Committee has postponed the Summit due to the current impact of the coronavirus pandemic on fire departments across the country. A new date for the Summit will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
You will not need to reapply if you have already applied to attend. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we look forward to seeing you in San Antonio, Texas when the Summit is held. Please direct any inquiries to John Tippett, Director of Fire Service Programs (
jtippett@firehero.org).
Episode 2
Ryan Woitalewicz was just four years old when he lost his dad
Kenny, a volunteer firefighter in Nebraska. When Ryan attended his first NFFF
Kids Camp for children ages 7-17, Illinois Fire Chief Chad Hoefle was assigned as his Big Buddy—a mentorship match that has stood the test of time. Over the years, Ryan and Chad returned to camp together until Ryan reached age 18. And the “found family” they created continues, as the two celebrate milestone events such as Ryan completing his education and becoming a teacher. They remain close and enjoy any opportunity to talk about Ryan’s father and finding meaning in his loss.
Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki Blog
It’s been a year full of pandemic-induced challenges, on top of the line-of-duty deaths that unfortunately, we in the fire service see every single year. But at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation – we not only witness the sadness; we also experience the beauty that emerges as communities, departments and the country come together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and support those families and departments left behind.
The National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD, the home of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, is open for Public Visitors to Campus Memorials. All visitors will park in the lot adjacent to Building V1 where you will be security screened. Restrooms are also available in Building V1 for your convenience. Visitors are not permitted to enter NETC buildings and should follow the “marked” route on the map provided by campus security for access to the National Memorial.
Family Resources
Department Resources
news
Twenty-three Chicago and Morris & Company firefighters were killed in the Chicago Union Stockyards Fire on December 22, 1910.
Watch America’s Tribute to Fallen Firefighters, hosted by CBS News Anchor Norah O’Donnell, recognizes heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty serving their communities and their country.
Each year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation decorates trees in memory of all fallen firefighters. These beautiful trees are on display in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, featuring ornaments from the families and departments of America’s Fire Heroes from around the country.
The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senator Chuck Grassley (IA), makes several changes to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program intended to expand eligibility and increase certain benefits. Similar legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9), a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
MORE NEWS
events
January 1 – March 1, 2022
Apply Online
The Foundation offers financial assistance for post-secondary education and training to spouses, life partners, children and step-children of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
Every Wednesday 8:00 pm (ET)
On Zoom
You can meet virtually in small groups with other Fire Hero Families to share stories, struggles, and ideas. This is an informal gathering, just for family members; there will be no NFFF staff or professional facilitators. To sign up for a group, please E-mail Erin by the Sunday before group.
January 27, 2022 1:00 pm ET
Webinar
This discussion features Lt. Joe Gaffney (Retired), who recalls a Worcester residential structure fire that resulted in the LODD of Jon D. Davies Sr. on December 8, 2011.
New Date Coming Soon
Westin Riverwalk – San Antonio, TX
The National Firefighter Life Safety Summit 2022 builds on previous gatherings in Tampa, Florida, Novato, California, and a series of mini-summits. The goal of the National Firefighter Life Safety Summit 2022 is to identify focus areas to reduce firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
MORE EVENTS
