Sunday, December 22

The California Fire Foundation Celebrates October as Firefighter Appreciation Month

Photo credit: California Fire Foundation

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Fire Foundation (www.cafirefoundation.org) has announced the commencement of California Firefighter Appreciation Month (FFAM) this October, in collaboration with state legislative initiatives. The non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting the families of fallen firefighters, firefighters themselves, and the communities they serve, is set to launch an array of programs and events across the state to honor local firefighters, commemorate the fallen, and educate Californians on fire season preparedness.

In celebration of Firefighter Appreciation Month, local businesses are rallying to raise funds for the California Fire Foundation’s vital educational, financial, and emotional support programs. Among these initiatives is the SAVE CARD program (Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency), which extends immediate assistance to fire victims through $250 cash cards following fires or natural disasters. Additionally, the organization has relaunched its “Firefighters on Your Side” community preparedness public service announcement (PSA) program. The highlight of the month will be the annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony and Wall in Sacramento, a solemn tribute to firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Brian Rice, Chair of the California Fire Foundation and President of California Professional Firefighters, expressed gratitude towards business partners and emphasized the critical role community support and funding play in aiding first responders. Rice stated, “The community’s awareness and financial contributions are crucial in supporting our first responders, who dedicate their lives to protecting others, especially in the face of heightened wildfire risk due to rising temperatures.”

The California Fire Foundation invites residents to prepare for wildfires and natural disasters at FirefightersOnYourSide.org, and support with a tax-deductible donation, alongside other ways:

HOW TO SUPPORT?

·        The Franciscan Wine Estate as part of E. & J. Gallo Winery, a family-owned leader in CA wines, is proudly donating $10,000 to support California Fire Foundation. California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) also kicked off California Firefighter Appreciation Month early with its PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE fundraiser on September 25.

·        Local businesses and residents are invited to fundraise for firefighters and the communities they protect and donate at CAFireFoundation.org

·        Residents are invited to thank their local firefighters and share their support on social media using hashtags #thankafirefighter #ffappreciationmonth #cafirefoundation in support!

HOW TO PREPARE?

·        The Foundation has launched Firefighters on Your Side (https://firefightersonyourside.org/) with multilingual tools and resources to view online and print, including:

o   VIDEO PSA: What is a 5 Minute Plan?

o   VIDEO PSA: Pre-Pack Essentials 

o   Print your Preparedness Checklist 

o   How to Prevent & Escape Housefires 

HOW TO HONOR?

To honor fallen officers during Firefighters Appreciation Month, the annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony will be held in Sacramento, CA, on Saturday, October 14. The Memorial ceremony will feature a uniformed firefighter procession, tributes, and presentation of the U.S. flag to the families of those whose names are being added to the Memorial Wall. The Memorial Wall currently features over 1,500 names of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty in California since 1850. The outdoor procession is open to the public, and the Memorial will be streamed live on Facebook @CAFireFound and YouTube @TheCafirefoundation.

For additional information, please visit CAFireFoundation.org.

Below is a list of names of all Fallen Firefighters across California.