The U.S. Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, 501(c)3 nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and co-workers.
- The Foundation is located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It is registered as a corporation in the State of Maryland, and receives funding through private donations from caring individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations.
- A grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance supports programs for families of fallen firefighters.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency partners with the Foundation to sponsor many of the National Memorial Weekend
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology supports work on a national research agenda to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
Our Mission
Our mission is to honor America’s fallen fire heroes;
support their families, colleagues, and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.
About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
What We Do
Throughout the year, the Foundation undertakes a wide range of mission-driven activities in support of Fire Hero Families, fire departments, and the fire service overall.
Memorial Weekend
Each May, the Foundation sponsors the official National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, the national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year and in prior years. Thousands of families, fire service members, and others 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 poignant public ceremonies. The Foundation provides travel, lodging, and meals for immediate family members of fallen firefighters being honored. This allows families to participate in a variety of activities and sessions conducted by trained grief counselors and in the private and public tributes.
Family Support Programs
When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, the Foundation provides families with a place to turn. Families receive emotional assistance through the Fire Hero Family Network, which matches families with similar experiences and circumstances. Families receive The Journey, our bi-monthly newsletter—and have access to a wide range of virtual and digital resources. The Family Programs section of our website provides extensive information on benefits, Foundation programs, and other helpful information.
Scholarships
Spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of fallen firefighters are eligible for scholarship assistance for education and job training costs.
Memorial Park
The Foundation created the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Maryland—the first permanent national park honoring all firefighters. This sprawling, pastoral space in the middle of the National Emergency Training Center includes a brick Walk of Honor® that connects the official National Fallen Firefighters Monument to the other Memorial Park features: To Lift a Nation, the 9/11 monument; the NFFF Bell of Remembrance; and the NFFF Memorial Chapel.
Departmental Training and Support
Under a Department of Justice grant, the Foundation offers Fire Service Training to help fire departments prepare to handle a line-of-duty death. Through our Taking Care of Our Own® program, departments receive extensive pre-incident planning support; Local Assistance State Teams step in when a loss occurs, to provide whatever support is needed immediately and for as long as a department needs it. And our Uniformed Peer Support Network provides technical assistance and personal support to help the department and the family. More info and resources can be found in our Fire Programs section.
