It is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service, but many people do not realize cancer is one of the biggest risks our firefighter heroes face.
At the 2022 International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, almost 75% of the names added to the wall (348 out of 469) were members who died from occupational cancer.
In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF designated January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide them with tools and guidance for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.
Watch as one LAFD family shares its story.
2023 Buzzard Bait Family Fun Ride
A special thanks to organizers Doug Weber and Mike Reitmayer as well as all the LAFD firefighter families and friends who enjoyed a weekend of off-road adventure to raise money for our Widows, Orphans & Disable Firefighter’s Fund!
Firefighters rushed to the rescue after a giant sinkhole swallowed two vehicles, trapping people approximately 15-feet below ground level.
Thank you to these valiant heroes who work tirelessly on the frontlines of danger and disaster!
Meet the yellow lab assigned to save LAFD firefighters lives.
Rick Godinez LAFD Captain II, Retired enjoys an apple courtesy of Sharecare
We are honored by the support of our 2022 LAFD Invitational charity golf tournament. As a Snack and Beverage sponsor, Sharecare not only helped provide healthy snacks for our participants and volunteers on the course, but also provided much needed financial assistance for our firefighter families in need.
Inside the LAFD drone unit
It’s officially called the LAFD Unmanned Aerial Systems program, UAS for short.
Now meet the team behind the unit and see how these highly-skilled firefighters use these amazing drones to save lives and property.
Fire Axe, Inc.
LAFD Captain II Carlos Garcia credits an axe, made by Fire Axe, Inc. for saving his life.
“The fire had come out of the room and was starting to roll across the living room, so I started going through the wall with my axe. As I was going through the wall the fire kept coming and it was now starting to bank down, so I was now on my side going through the wall with my axe.”
Watch as several heroic firefighters caught in a life-or-death moment explain how this unique and solid axe brought them home safely.
Class 22-2 worked hard to fulfill their dreams.
About the Charity
Founded more than a century ago, the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to helping the families of firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty or facing other crisis.
Firefighters dedicate their lives to helping others. They rush into burning buildings, dangle from helicopters, jump into raging waters, climb into trenches, and race to the frontlines of disaster, all to protect the rest of us.
But when the unthinkable happens, where do firefighters turn for help? The Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund. Helping our valiant firefighters in times of trouble is simply not possible without your kind and generous donations.
Your contributions help provide:
- Basic living expenses
- Health insurance
- Durable medical equipment
- Memorial scholarships for the children of deceased firefighters
- Other needed financial assistance
Tax ID# 95-6205446
Be a Hero to a Hero
Fundraise
Volunteer
Share
Photos
LAFD Toy Drive: Five Decades of Bringing Holiday Joy!
What started as one Los Angeles Fire Department chief gathering a few toys in the trunk of his car and giving them to children who would not otherwise have gotten a gift during Christmas has grown into a year-round endeavor that sees approximately 120,000 toys...
LAFD and Willow the Peer Support Dog, Combat PTSD and Extreme Levels of Stress
LAFD Firefighters risk their lives every day in attempt to save yours. Responding to thousands of calls a day, facing danger, unbelievable stress and anxiety, they see the worst of the worst. Death, agony, grief and sorrow. But who comes to their rescue? Who can help...
Axe of Valor: LAFD Firefighter Makes a Superior Firefighting Tool
In a quest to make the perfect axe, Los Angeles City Firefighter Jason Knight ended up shaping a tool that has saved firefighters’ lives and caught the attention of fire departments across the country and around the world! His unique creation is a must-have for these...
to the 2022 LAFD Invitational Winners
Dedicated to serving firefighters and first responders and a proud supporter of our Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
Read more about the many ways they help our men and women in uniform.
