Proceeds from this event go to the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation. The GTFF donates 20% of the event proceeds to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
GREATER TUCSON FIRE FOUNDATION
The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation assists the fire service community with unmet firefighter health and safety needs. These needs include Advanced Training, New Technology, Survivor’s Assistance, Education Campaigns, and Firefighter Health and Wellness.
The GTFF is a 501(c)3, nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting more than 1,850 firefighters that protect communities throughout southern Arizona. Proceeds from this event will be used to address the three major causes of job-related firefighter deaths and injuries. These include cancer, heart attacks, and suicide.
The GTFF provides funding for cancer screenings; ultrasound heart scans; and counseling services for firefighters and their families. Cancer has become the leading cause of job-related firefighter deaths. Nearly half of the on-duty firefighter deaths are due to cardiac-related issues. In 2019, the number of firefighters who took their own life was greater than the number killed fighting fires.
To address these issues, the GTFF has embarked on a campaign to increase cancer awareness and provide cancer screening for firefighters. For years, it has funded ultrasound heart scans for firefighters. Supporting first responders’ psychological health and well-being has been one of the Foundation’s top priorities.
NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION
Congress established the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) in 1992. Since then, the NFFF has led a nationwide effort to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes. The NFFF also provides resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives. Lastly, they work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.
Each October, the Foundation sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the weekend activities held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Weekend features special programs for families and co-workers along with moving public ceremonies.
NFFF programs include support for surviving families, scholarships, line-of-duty death and injury prevention, and much more. The NFFF offices are located on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, home of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
Honoring the Nation’s fallen firefighters and supporting those who continue to serve throughout Southern Arizona.
