In December 2022, Executive Director Ron Siarnicki announced his plans to retire from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation after 21 years at the helm. Today, the NFFF Board of Directors has launched an executive search to identify a CEO to take command of the NFFF and its affiliate, the First Responders Center for Excellence. Chief Siarnicki joined the NFFF as its fifth employee in July 2001—just two months prior to the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, in which 343 members of the FDNY were lost. Throughout his influential two-decade tenure, Chief Siarnicki has elevated NFFF as a key voice in the fire service, driving policy and change while continuing to remember every firefighter lost in the line of duty across the country and throughout the years. Chief Siarnicki’s empathy is unequalled—and has always embraced his demanding role not as a job, but as a passion. Setting a tone of exceptional professionalism and sensitivity across the organization, Chief Siarnicki has grown the Foundation into a strong and engaged team of 30+ who work tirelessly to expand NFFF’s programs, reach, and impact. And through his forward-thinking commitment to NFFF’s important role as advocate—and his faithfulness to the mission—he leaves behind a strong and stable leadership team with an incredibly talented staff. Working side-by-side with the NFFF Board of Directors, Chief Siarnicki has positioned NFFF for a smooth command change that will take the organization on to its next chapter.