Want to do Something Meaningful for the Firefighters??

July 26, 2008, about 3:30 pm...

There's no update for today from Chief Jeanne Pincha-Tulley. We agreed this morning that when she had more to report - rather than a simple reiteration of last night's community meeting at Tularcitos School in Carmel Valley - then, I'll interview her.  The next scheduled update is on Monday morning.

One thing DID come up... what could people do to really say "Thanks!" to the firefighters.

While they appreciate the signs A LOT, what would really be a help would be if you made a donation to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF).

Who are WFF and what do they do??

Who they are:

"They are federal, state and local firefighters, private sector firefighters, interface firefighters, and volunteers from rural communities and towns across the United States. Many are long-time career professionals, some much newer to the job. They're ordinary people doing an extraordinary job – a community of committed individuals who work and train to protect our private and public lands."

What they do:

"We provide financial assistance, immediate and ongoing emotional support, advocacy, and recognition to fallen and injured wildland firefighters. We present program information and in some instances, onsite crisis support, to government and private fire agencies and other organizations.

Survivor family members are forever a part of the Foundation's purpose. We continue to provide emotional support and in some cases financial support many years after a firefighter's death. We will not forget."

So where federal assistance falls short, these folks go long. What the Forest Service won't pay for, they will... your donation helps WFF to:

Provide immediate travel assistance to get an injured firefighter's family to their firefighter's bedside and assist with expenses for families while their firefighter is recovering.


Arrange travel for crews to be able to take their fallen brothers home.


Network crews and families with information and support after an injury or fatality.


Give financial assistance to families of firefighters killed in the line of duty, ensuring the home is maintained and children are provided for.


Help an injured firefighter meet their financial needs until they receive benefits, or are able to go back to work.


Track injured firefighters to ensure they are receiving worker's comp benefits.


Assist children returning to school after the loss of a parent.


Ensure survivors are able to attend "Family Fire" the Foundation's annual gathering of families, co-workers, and wildland fire service personnel. Families share their path of healing and their children meet other kids struggling with the loss of a parent.


Organize a Disneyland trip for children of our fallen wildland firefighters.

If you'd like to know more about wildland firefighting, here's a link to the WFF store, where there are many products of interest, the proceeds from which go to the Foundation.