California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation’s mandate includes an array of survivor and victim assistance projects and community initiatives:

CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL
The Foundation designed, built and maintains this unique memorial to fallen firefighters at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Every year, the Foundation holds a special, annual ceremony to commemorate the bravery of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Foundation supplies emergency support to departments and families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and provides educational assistance to the children of fallen firefighters through the California Firefighters Endowment and Daniel A. Terry Scholarship program. The Foundation also provides grants to individuals who demonstrate financial hardship to take the FCTC Candidate Physical Ability Test or written exam, which are the recognized standards for physical and educational testing and recruitment within the fire service.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE
The Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program brings immediate, short-term relief to victims of fire or other natural disaster throughout California. Working together with the California Fire Foundation, firefighters throughout California distribute gift cards in the amount of $100 to eligible victims of fire or other natural disaster, so they may purchase basic necessities such as medicine, food or clothing.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
The Foundation offers information about fire safety and conducts public outreach and education about fire safety issues through its Firefighters On Your Side program. Additionally, the Foundation contributes to other organizations that aim to enhance and improve the communities of California.