NFFF Hosts Regional Golf Outings to Support Families of Fallen Firefighters

Nearly everyone in the fire service is familiar, in some form or fashion, with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Some have first hand experience, with one of their own being honored by the Foundation. For those who have lost a loved one or a coworker, the experience of attending the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland is best explained as the “Bittersweet Weekend.” On the Sunday in October when their firefighter(s) is honored at the National Memorial Ceremony, survivors still feel the bitterness of their loss, but are comforted by the sweetness and sincerity of the ceremony.

Many entities help the Foundation to provide this important ceremonial weekend; these include the U.S. Fire Administration, the Department of Justice-Bureau of Justice Assistance, national fire service organizations, and even local area fire departments. All of these organizations play an important role in making the weekend and the memorial ceremony happen!

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend cost have increased greatly since the first one was held in 1981. What is a surprise to many is that the NFFF, although created by the U.S. Congress in 1992, does not receive any direct funds for its programming from the federal budget. The U.S. Fire Administration each year funds approximately half of the cost of the Memorial Weekend, but that is only a small part of the Foundation’s budget. Funds are still needed for all of the other survivor and fire service programs the NFFF provides, as well as for staff. This gap is filled by individual and corporate donations, fundraising events, and grants. Log on to www.firehero.org where one can find all the programs and services NFFF provides! Think you’ll be surprised at their NFFF’s breadth,  scope, and commitment to and for their mission! 

Fundraising is an important and often invisible job for the Foundation. Their mission is simple: to honor and remember America's fallen fire heroes, to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives, and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. No other organization provides the help and supports both the affected the families and departments of our nation’s fallen fire heroes. Take a look at the commitment the NFFF has made to the fire service—to be there under the most difficult of circumstances, long after the pipe and drums, honor guard, and flags have gone away. Executive Director, Ron Siarnicki, Board President Dennis Compton, or any NFFF Board of Directors member can quickly tell you from their personal experience how valuable the NFFF is in terms of the programs, help, and interaction provided to the fire community.

So where am I heading with all this you’re wondering? Simply put, I want to tell you that something fun can help something this important. By that I mean 13 years ago we held the first golf tournament to raise funds to support the Foundation. For a first effort, we did very well that year. And since then, the NFFF Golf Tournament Program has grown to include 22 tournaments held across the United States this past year. Hundreds of fire and associated people across the country VOLUNTEERED their time locally to coordinate and host these tournaments, and approximately 3,500 golfers participated—all having fun while supporting a great cause! This past year, the proceeds from these 22 NFFF Golf Tournaments amounted to $475K, all of which is used to fund programs for the survivors of America’s fire heroes. It’s a big help for sure.  However, there is always more to do. Go to www.firehero.org/events/golf-outings/tournaments to see the 2017  NFFF Golf  Tournaments Dates and Locations!

When Deputy Commissioner Phil McLaughlin (PFD) and I started this effort we never dreamed it would be what it is today but are certainly thankful it is. This year we are in transition as it is time for some new leadership to carry the golf tournament fundraising to the next level. I have been looking for a person to pass this baton to and I think we have found the right person for the job. Karl Ristow is the former fire chief with the St John’s Fire District and the current program director for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Karl understands and gets the purpose of these tournaments as he was instrumental in establishing the first tournament in the Charleston, SC area after the death of nine firefighters there. Since the coordinators meeting in February Karl has been working hard to spread the message; use his network to seek additional tournaments; and keep the mission of the foundation moving forward.

We both want to see this program grow but we need your help. What can you do? I am glad you asked. We need fire service leaders at all levels to see how they can develop and conduct golf tournaments within your communities. We need fire service volunteers that want to make a difference and help the Foundation continue to do their work. No one else can make this happen better than the fire service. We are connected to the community and have a direct stake in the foundation and their efforts. We understand if you do not have the ability at this time, however could you consider making a difference by supporting someone who does? Two brains are always better than one (3, 4, and 5 too); get involved, give back, and make a difference.

For more information, contact Regina Livingston at [email protected], Karl Ristow at [email protected], or go to the NFFF website. See you one the course!

Charlie Dickinson, Fire Chief, Retired, Pittsburgh, PA Bureau of Fire

Karl Ristow, Program Director. Commission on Fire Accreditation International