National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Greater Cincinnati Region

The U. S. Congress created the non-profi National Fallen Firefihters Foundation in 1992 with the mission to honor fallen fiefihters and to assist their survivors in the rebuilding of their lives. The Foundation has developed many programs to fulfil this mandate. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofi organization, located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and registered as a corporation in the State of Maryland. Donations from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations fund many of the Foundation’s programs. A grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance supports programs for survivors and coworkers of fiefihters killed in the line of duty. The Foundation has developed many programs to assist survivors of fallen fiefihters. Immediately after a fiefihter dies in the line of duty, the Foundation provides survivors with a place to turn. Families and coworkers can receive emotional support through peer support networks. The annual Fire Service Survivors Conference offers workshops on topics of interest and provides an opportunity to network with others who have experienced the death of a fiefihter. Spouses, life partners, children and stepchildren of fallen fiefihters are eligible for higher education and job training scholarships. The Taking Care of Our Own® training program is offered nationwide to senior fie offiers, chaplains and Honor Guard commanders to provide guidance on how to prepare for line-of-duty deaths and establish pre-incident programs and procedures. An extensive website provides information on state and Federal benefis and resources, as well as immediate access to critical information on what to do after a line-of-duty death. At the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week in October, the Foundation sponsors the offiial national tribute to career and volunteer fiefihters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the weekend activities held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Weekend features special programs for survivors and coworkers along with moving public ceremonies. The Foundation partners with the U.S. Fire Administration to sponsor many of the National Memorial Weekend activities. Since 1996, the Foundation has assisted immediate survivors of fallen fie heroes with their lodging and meals during the Weekend. This allows family members to participate in weekend activities, including sessions led by experienced grief counselors and the public tributes. Since 2002, the Foundation has provided transportation for immediate family members also. In 2004 the National Fallen Firefihters Foundation hosted the fist ever Firefihter Life Safety Summit to examine the increasing numbers of fiefihter line-ofduty deaths that are occurring in America each year. As a result of that summit, 16 fiefihter life safety initiatives were identifid as a part of the NFFF’s National program to prevent fiefihter deaths. The program entitled “Everyone Goes Home” is being implemented throughout the country as a part of the core mission of the Foundation in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration to affect a 25% reduction in fiefihter deaths over the next 5 years and a 50 reduction in ten. This program is one of the most critical learning experiences any fie service member can participate in. The Foundation has established Local Assistance State Teams to assist fie departments when a line-ofduty death occurs and to help survivors who may be eligible to fie paperwork for the Public Safety Offiers’ Benefis program administered by the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. A Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee guide the Foundation’s activities. Members represent the private sector, fie and emergency services, fie service survivors, and government. All have demonstrated a strong commitment to fie safety.