National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) News

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley) are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Thought Leadership Essay Competition, a platform that celebrates the fire service's forward-thinking leaders. Founded by Congress in 1992, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honors fallen firefighters and supports their families, providing resources, counseling, and educational assistance. NFFF also collaborates on initiatives to prevent firefi...

On Friday, August 23, 2024, Jesse Love, driver of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro, took to the Daytona International Speedway with a mission greater than crossing the finish line first. His car carried the names of 226 fallen firefighters, representing Whelen’s partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). This year marked the third consecutive season of this important partnership and is a testament to their shared commitment to...

Whelen Engineering is excited to announce the launch of its annual Everyday Champion Program for 2024. The program is officially open for nominations beginning June 3, 2024, and will remain open until September 6, 2024. Everyday Champion program Whelen’s Everyday Champion program celebrates and recognizes outstanding emergency service departments, individuals, or groups by honoring demonstrations of bravery and courage during an act of exceptional valor or tireless efforts to make a com...

Whelen Engineering, a global pioneer in the emergency warning industry for more than 70 years, Richard Childress Racing (RCR), and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have teamed up to honor fallen fire heroes at FDIC International 2024, on April 18, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.  a special paint scheme At 12:30 pm ET in Whelen Engineering’s booth #3223 at FDIC International 2024, RCR’s No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet will debut a special paint scheme in honor of the 2...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with other national fire service organizations to strongly oppose proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants programs provide critical funding to help fire departments secure needed equipment, training, and staffing to adequately protect their communi...

Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas and U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell delivered remarks during the 42nd National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Memorial Weekend on May 7, 2023, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, USA. The Homeland Security Secretary and the U.S. Fire Administrator paid tribute to the 79 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2022 and 65 firefighters who died in previous years.  Paying tribute to fallen firefighters The emergencies to wh...

Two grant programs designed to address staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of firefighters are scheduled to ‘sunset’ in 2024 unless Congress reauthorizes the grant programs, and funding for the programs will run out unless Congress endows them for another year. Legislation to extend the programs has already passed the U.S. Senate. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides funding to hire additional personnel to mainta...

Among the ways, garments protect firefighters is by reducing the heat stress and discomfort created by the need to carry heavy gear. Making the garments more comfortable to wear means less physical stress. Garments also help to protect firefighters from the toxic elements in the fire environment. The extent to which plastic materials can generate toxic smoke when they burn has previously been ignored but is now better understood. Concerted effort to understand end user As a manufacturer of fi...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced it will showcase an extensive selection of the latest standout fire apparatus and technology developments at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 28-30, 2022. The main feature will be North America’s first-in-service and fully the U.S. manufactured electric fire truck – the Pierce Volterra™ Pumper. Attendees will find Pierce’s display in the north end zone of...

Technology has transformed the role of lighting in the realm of firefighting. The rise of USB-rechargeable flashlights and headlamps now enable firefighters to recharge on-the-go. New, multi-fuel flashlight ‘systems’ use a rechargeable battery, but also can accept disposable batteries for alternate sources of power. New scene lights are waterproof and offer powerful brightness in situations involving smoke or water. Work lights that fit in tight spaces can be used hands-free or hangi...

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has released its fourth National Fire Service Research Agenda with over 300 research recommendations broken down into 3 topical domains: hiring, retention and advancement; effective operations; and health and safety. Enhancing abilities With a goal of enhancing the ability of all fire service members (career, volunteer, wildland, industrial, etc.) to protect their communities, while protecting their own health and safety, these recommendations...

Back in Indianapolis for the first time since 2019, FDIC International 2021 offered a full slate of conference sessions, hands-on training and equipment exhibitions. Attendance was down, but everyone appeared happy to be back at the show, after cancellations and delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Masking compliance was low, despite continuing concerns about COVID-19 and the Delta variant. There was little social distancing. In many respects, the show seemed back to normal. A highlight of t...

Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. It is a week in which they renew their commitment to fire safety and educate the public about safeguarding their communities and homes against the threat of fire. With Fire Prevention Week taking place this week, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) would like to take the opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations for their dedication and commitment to the na...

LION First Responder PPE, Inc., one of the largest family-owned manufacturer of first responder personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States, will host a grand opening of their newest TotalCare facility located at 735 Park North Blvd, Suite 114, Clarkston, GA 30021. TotalCare represents LION’s high-quality fire gear maintenance services, including PPE repair & retrofitting, advanced cleaning, decontamination, biohazard disinfection, and advanced PPE inspection. The event w...

During the FDIC team’s extensive outreach and conversations with the fire service, there was an overwhelming desire expressed by firefighters to come together in the fall to celebrate the unity of the fire service, learn, and support ongoing efforts in serving their communities and continue training. These requests are being answered with the launch of a new event, United Fire Conference, that will take place September 22-24, 2020, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. The...

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and Mag Instrument, U.S. Manufacturer of the iconic MAGLITE® flashlight, have partnered with the Pedestrian Safety Institute (PSI) to drive awareness of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrian and traffic fatalities in the Month of July. July has been designated National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month because of the spike in accidents and fatalities during that tim...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that the Eighth Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb set to take place on the steps of Lambeau Field in September, will now be hosted as a virtual fundraising event in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Co-sponsored by the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field has been recognized as the largest event of its kind in the United States. Due to the unprecedented cir...

Streamlight®, Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting for first responders, announces that they donated $18,500 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), which included $8,500 in proceeds from sales of the company's specially marked NFFF Red Nano Light®, Red Vantage® helmet light, and Red Siege® AA lantern. Streamlight earmarks $1.00, $3.00, and $2.00, respectively, from the sale of each light for the NFFF. The donation also included a $10,000 contribution for...

KME is pleased to announce the release of 13 new fire truck Christmas tree ornaments for the 2019 holiday season. Net proceeds from the sale of the ornaments will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). For this season’s ornaments, KME chose the fire trucks that are featured in its 2020 calendar: Atlanta Fire Rescue’s Severe Service Pumper (GA) Salisbury Fire Department’s 103’ AerialCatTM Tuff TruckTM (MA) Shermans Dale Community Fire Company&rsqu...

LION Protects, globally renowned manufacturer of first responder personal protectiveres equipment (PPE) in the United States will host a grand opening of their newest TotalCare facility located at 735 Park North Boulevard, Suite 114, Clarkston, GA 30021 on November 8, 2019 (from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm). TotalCare fire gear maintenance TotalCare represents LION’s high-quality fire gear maintenance services, including PPE repair & retrofitting, advanced cleaning, decontamination, biohazar...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that its seventh annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, in partnership with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, raised over $115,000 with all proceeds directly benefitting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).   Nearly 2,200 members of the fire service, their families, friends, and community members climbed the steps of historic Lambeau Field on Saturday, September 7th to pay tribute to the 343 FDNY fi...

The 17th Annual Truman Legacy Symposium was held on May 5-7, 2019. Each year, the symposium focuses on a different area of interest or action taken by former President Harry Truman. This year, the symposium dealt with the former President’s legacy on Fire Prevention, Fire Safety and Historic Preservation and the 1947 National Conference on Fire Prevention report in which he was a leader. Countering rising fire incidents In early 1947, President Truman invited representatives from every f...

The Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association, a Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) held its 2019 annual conference in Edmonton, Alberta June 8-14. More than 110 Metro chiefs from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States attended the conference and elected the Association’s 2019-2020 officers and board members. The officers are: Chi...

Oliver Holmes, Sr. once said, “It is the province of knowledge to speak and the privilege of wisdom to listen.” Each year, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) conducts the National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner program to provide opportunities for fire service leaders across the nation to both speak and listen. And, it was for this reason that the theme selected is ‘Exchanging Knowledge to Advance Our Mission’. There is much to learn about...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that registration is open for the seventh annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb taking place at historic Lambeau Field on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Co-sponsored by the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, the event is not just for first responders – but all who want to take part in honoring the 343 fallen firefighters of September 11, 2001. Last year’s record attendance included 2,700 residents, firefighters, and local b...

Streamlight, Inc., a renowned provider of high-performance lighting for first responders, announced that it donated $20,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), including $10,000 in proceeds from sales of the company's specially marked NFFF Red Nano Light, Red Vantage helmet light, and Red Siege AA lantern. Streamlight earmarks $1.00, $3.00, and $2.00, respectively, from the sale of each light for the NFFF. The company also contributed $10,000 for renewal of its "Bronze Helmet...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, has announced that it will be displaying a broad array of apparatus, new technology demonstrations, investments made in product support, and more during the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International 2019 event slated to take place from April 11 – 13, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Pierce’s FDIC presence will exemplify the theme: Deserve Better. Serve Better. Attendees will be able to get a glimpse firs...

Firefighters, their families, friends and community members from across the nation gathered at the historic Lambeau Field on Saturday, September 22, 2018 to participate in the sixth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Over 2,700 participants promised to “never forget” by honoring and remembering the 343 New York firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. This year’s event raised more than $135,000 with all proceeds benefitting the NFFF and has again been recognized...

The event paid tribute to the firefighters who served at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 Northeast Wisconsin and its surrounding communities turned out in large numbers earlier today to participate in and support the fifth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. A total of 2,169 area residents, firefighters, and local businesses came together to pay tribute to all of the firefighters who served, and to those who sacrifi...

Kidde announced the winner of the “Step Up and Stand Out” contest at the Firehouse Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. The honor goes to Bob Love, Assistant Chief of North Hays County Fire Rescue in Dripping Springs, Texas. The contest is part of a national campaign developed by Kidde and national fire service organizations to raise awareness of the need for fire department volunteers and recognize those who have already stepped up to support their communities. Kidde, a renowned manufactu...