More than 85% of the funds raised through the NFFF COVID-19 Emergency Fund will be used to provide programs and services to first responders and their families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Everyone has been impacted by COVID-19 and our communities have changed. What hasn’t changed is our trust that when we call for help and protection a firefighter is there. Firefighters all over the United States are facing new challenges on the front lines of this pandemic. These brave men and women continue to protect you while also trying to care for their own loved ones during this crisis.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will always stand with them and their families. We will continue to honor America’s fallen firefighters, assist their families, and work to prevent firefighter injuries and deaths.
The COVID-19 pandemic is placing unique and unusual challenges on fire departments, first responders, their families and the families of those firefighters who have made the supreme sacrifice. To address those challenges and promote alleviating fear and anxiety, the following programs and services have been identified in order of importance as means to address these concerns:
Support for LODD Fire Hero Families
- Delayed LODD Services – Program would provide funding to assist families and co-workers to attend LODD services held later.
- Informational Briefs – Often families of fallen firefighters have other family members in the fire service. Videos focusing on specific concerns of the pandemic and the heightened stress related to grief will be developed to assist families cope with the added anxieties.
- Virtual Camps, Conferences and Retreats – Contract with various Subject Matter Experts (SME) and counselors to keep these programs going through a variety of electronic/digital gatherings.
- Expert Economic Guidance – Provide support/guidance concerning financial matters to include direction to help families apply for any personal or small business relief available, through state and federal COVID-19 financial aid programs.
- Individual and Group Virtual Emotional Support – The added stresses upon firefighters and their families has been well documented. Potential exposures to firefighters and the possibility of bringing the virus home to their families creates a great deal of family stress.
Health and Wellness Initiative for First Responders
- Training programs for state, local, and tribal first responders addressing emotional, psychological, and behavioral health issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A train-the-trainer course based on the front-line training needed to address emerging issues.
- Technical assistance to agencies wishing to implement, or in the process of implementing, an in-house first responders suicide awareness and prevention training or program.
- Publication of virtual or distance learning as a tool to reinforce in-person trainings for first responders.
- Training materials, manuals, related resources, and direct reinforcement resources for use within the program.
Health and Wellness Initiative for Fire Service Families
- Hero Tribute Video – The videos are intended to provide support to firefighters and their families by highlighting how families are coping with the added stresses and give how-to instructions on best practices while having to homeschool children and maintain an emotionally strong bond with the family despite firefighters having to work 24-hour plus shifts in a highly stressful environment.
- Individual and Group Virtual Emotional Support – The added stresses upon firefighters and their families has been well documented. Potential exposures to firefighters and the possibility of bringing the virus home to their families creates a great deal of family stress.
The Foundation will utilize our State Advocates, State LODD Teams and our Fire Hero Outreach Specialists to identify needs for these programs and our staff will make determinations on distribution of programs and services.
