The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is working to help volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These volunteers are on the frontlines helping their communities every day.
A donation to the NVFC’s Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund goes directly to help these responders in their time of need. Emergency responders answer the call whenever disaster strikes, yet often they are the victims of the same disasters they are responding to.
Federally declared disaster
Since 2005, the Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund has helped these responders by providing a stipend to enable them to meet basic needs in the aftermath of a disaster. The fund already assists eligible volunteers whose homes have been damaged or destroyed due to a state or federally declared disaster or a home fire. Now the fund has been expanded to include volunteers who have suffered the loss of a job or wages due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Eligible firefighters and EMS providers can apply for a one-time stipend of $350 to help them meet basic needs if they have suffered an involuntary loss of wages in excess of $500 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, over 400 applications for assistance have been received.
Providing vital assistance
The Support Fund relies entirely on donations from individuals and companies to be able to provide this assistance, and stipends can only be provided as funds allow. The NVFC donates all administrative costs, so 100% of donations go directly to help volunteer responders in need.
Help NVFC continue to provide this vital assistance. Donate through the NVFC’s GoFundMe page, or contribute through their web site and select ‘SupportFund’ as the donation type.