Thriving Amidst “Public Expectations”
Syri Harris and her future husband Walter met in elementary school. Years later, when Walter died in the line of duty fighting an intentionally set house fire in Detroit, his young wife and co-parent became a single mom of six boys overnight.
Memorial Monday – New Haven Apparatus Crash (CT)
Two New Haven firefighters who were responding to a reported hotel fire, died in an apparatus crash on February 14 , 1959.
Safety INsight: Natchez Rhythm Club Fire
The Natchez Rhythm Club fire was the second deadliest building fire in the U.S. when it took 209 lives in 1940. Of course it made headlines, but it faded quickly from the spotlight. It’s a major disaster most people have never heard about. The case has been made it has been overlooked because the fire occurred in a Black community in the deep South. Still, future fire protection engineers are now learning from this tragedy. This episode of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Safety INsight looks closely at important lessons still relevant 82 years later.
Paying It Forward to Other Fire Hero Families
Carol Jones had sought a challenging career that would fulfill her desire to help others, make a difference in her community, and to be a part of something extraordinary. She found that path when she followed in her own father’s footsteps to become a career firefighter in Fort Worth, Texas. Over a decade later, she married Fire Chief Louis Jones of Roswell, New Mexico—only to lose him four years later in a tragic event when he was shot and killed in the line of duty. After NFFF honored her husband during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, Carol decided to “pay it forward” by escorting other families during the annual event that honors the fallen, which she does continue each year. She also provides peer support and promotes NFFF’s goals at various events. After tragedy, Carol has found great satisfaction assisting others in their time of need.
NFFF IC-to-IC Discussion – Worcester Residential Fire (MA)
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.
» Watch the Webinar
Memorial Monday – Wilmington Apparatus Crash (DE)
Three firefighters from the Cranston Heights Fire Company died after a Wilmington apparatus crash on January 15, 1926.
National Fire Service Research Agenda Report Released
Researchers and fire service practitioners met virtually last year for the 4th National Fire Service Research Agenda Symposium resulting in the National Fire Service Research Agenda Report with nearly 300 recommendations.
National Firefighter Life Safety Summit 2022 Postponed
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.
Fire Hero Family Connections at the 2021 Winter Retreat
After the Grit Growth & Grace seminar series for widows, Mary Kury and Linda Herbert had an instant bond and were both from the Buffalo area. Mary recalls how amazing is was to be able to meet in person at the 2021 Winter Retreat.
Finding Meaning via “Found Families”
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 in close contact and enjoy any opportunity to talk about Ryan’s father and finding meaning in his loss.
2022-2023 NFFF Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted Online
Through the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s scholarship programs, the loved ones of the fallen can realize their educational dreams. Online applications are being accepted January 1 through 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.
A Look Back at 2021 – Through Grief and Gratitude
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 (NFFF) – 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.
