Our Mission

Helping Those Who Help Others

The IAFF Foundation assists IAFF fire fighters, emergency medical workers, and their families when they need it most. Our work supports burn survivors, funds critical behavioral health and occupational cancer programs, and gets immediate relief into the hands of our members impacted by disasters. We also honor the sacrifices of our fallen, the brave men and women who die in the line of duty, by supporting the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial and offering scholarships to their survivors.

Support Fire Fighters
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Protecting the Protectors

The IAFF Foundation provides vital and life-changing resources for fire fighters and rescue workers in need.

How We Support Fire Fighters

When professional fire fighters and emergency medical workers rush out the door, the IAFF Foundation is right behind them, providing the resources and support they need so they can focus on their mission: Keeping the public safe.

Occupational Cancer Support

The IAFF is committed to preventing and reducing cancer in the fire service and assisting diagnosed members with patient support, treatment, and recovery. Our Foundation enables occupational cancer research, promotes cancer education, and accompanies members from diagnosis through recovery.

Behavioral Health and Wellness

Fire fighters and emergency medical workers are exposed to trauma every day on the job. Over time, repeated exposure can take a toll on mental health. The IAFF Foundation provides resources and support to IAFF members when they need it, offering behavioral health education, peer support deployments to assist IAFF members after traumatic events, and behavioral health support through the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, a first-of-its-kind facility exclusively for IAFF members.

Disaster Relief

When disasters strike, IAFF members are on the frontlines around the clock, helping their communities, often with no time to check on their own homes and families. That’s when we provide assistance and resources, including peer support, to help impacted members get back on their feet. The Foundation’s Disaster Relief program provides immediate financial help to members whose homes are destroyed or severely damaged by disaster.

Burn Support

Through the Foundation, the IAFF offers support to members who suffer burn injuries and has contributed millions of dollars to burn research, hospital burn centers, and various burn prevention and educational initiatives. These efforts have led to significant advancements in burn treatment techniques and enhanced the quality of life for burn survivors of all ages.

Burn Camp

The IAFF Foundation hosts an annual International Burn Camp for burn survivors ages 13-15. Fire fighter camp counselors accompany each young burn survivor to Washington, D.C. for a week of uplifting activities. The experience offers an essential support system for young burn survivors during a pivotal time in their lives.

Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial

Located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial honors IAFF members who have died in the line of duty. Every September, the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice are engraved on our wall in a ceremony honoring their service and their lives.

Survivor Scholarships

Children of IAFF members who died in the line of duty can apply for the W.H. “Howie” McClennan Scholarship. Since the program’s inception, over one million dollars has been awarded to children of fallen members to help fund their higher education.