CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
Serving Our Own
The California Firefighter Benevolent Fund
In 2018, California broke historic wildfire records. On November 8, the Camp Fire broke out in Butte County becoming the deadliest and most destructive fire on record for the state. Tragically, 85 people perished and about 153,000 acres burned with 18,800 structures destroyed.
On the very same day in Southern California, the Woosley and Hill Fires burned over 100,000 acres between them, destroying over 1,600 structures and sadly three people lost their lives.
The 2020 wildfire season turned right around and broke all of those records for devastation, and the 2021 season looks to be another record-breaker. Still it was those monumental wildfires of 2018, where firefighters battling the Camp, Woolsey and Hill Fires suffered their own catastrophic losses, that inspired the California Fire Foundation to establish the California Firefighters Benevolent Fund.
“We recognize how committed California firefighters are to serving communities, working tirelessly day in and day out,” said Rick Martinez, executive director of the California Fire Foundation. “A sad reality of the profession is many of California’s brave firefighters have been hit by tragedy while on the job.”
Even before the 2018 fires, too many firefighters had first-hand experience of remaining on the frontlines when catastrophic wildfires or disasters strike, only to return to discover their own homes had been damaged or destroyed. Others were forced to deal with the effects of burn injuries suffered while responding. Still others experience the devastation of a line-of-duty death.
The initial aim of the Benevolent Fund was to provide support to firefighters that experienced damage or loss of their personal residence and assistance to firefighters that sustained burn injuries in the course of their employment, providing them with a benefit of $500.
As time has gone on, the Foundation has been fortunate to receive generous contributions from, members, individuals and corporate donors to enable the fund to grow and increase this benefit to $1,000. Time and time again, California Fire Foundation donors have indicated strong support to help firefighters in such times of need and have designated their donations specifically to the Benevolent Fund to fulfill that goal.
This enhancement allows the California Fire Foundation to provide a benevolent benefit for not only firefighters impacted by fire or natural disaster, but for those injured or killed in the line of duty. With this enhancement the Benevolent Fund can award up to $5,000 to support firefighters and their families suffering significant injuries or a heartbreaking line-of-duty death.
“At the California Fire Foundation, we believe this enhancement illustrates our commitment to helping our brave firefighters in their hour of need,” said Martinez.“We are truly thankful for donations, large and small, that have helped make this enhancement a reality for our deserving firefighters.”
For more information regarding the Benevolent Fund, visit cafirefoundation.org/benevolent.