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Wildland Firefighter Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to fallen firefighters' families and to firefighters injured in the line of duty. They do not receive government funding, therefore services are available for anyone performing wildland duties: volunteers, contract firefighters, agency firefighters, pilots, equipment operators, etc.
History
In 1994 thirty-four wildland firefighters were killed in the line of duty. Fourteen men and women died in a single incident on the South Canyon, or what is known by most as the “Storm King” fire, in Colorado. The loss of so many wildland firefighters caused tremendous grief to many, and helped spur the idea to form some type of entity that could help the families of the fallen. Vicki Minor, a private contractor, was running a dry-goods commissary on a fire in New Mexico at the time Storm King occurred. Ms. Minor was so touched by what had happened and couldn’t help but wonder who was helping the families through the tragedy – most specifically, how would they get by financially until they received some benefits. She donated a large sum of her own money to go toward helping the families and recognizing those who had died.
After working a number of years with government fire agency staff, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation was formed and created in 1999, becoming fully incorporated with by-laws and a mission statement. The Foundation was a mix of private individuals and government employees, serving in a liaison capacity, that helped bring about the groundbreaking and subsequent dedication in May 2000, of the Wildland Firefighters National Monument at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho.
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, located in Boise, Idaho. The Foundation receives funding through private donations from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. Their Board of Directors represent the private sector, fire service, survivor families, and government. The Foundation is in the process of forming an Advisory Board to lend additional expertise and support to the Foundation’s programs.
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation relies on private donations.