Help Volunteer Firefighters Affected by Recent Storms

Published Date: 04.18.2011

Devastating storms and deadly tornadoes hit the South and Mid Atlantic states last weekend, with more than 200 tornado reports from Mississippi to Virginia. North Carolina took an especially hard hit resulting in 22 deaths. When disasters like this strike, we must remember that the volunteer first responders the community relies on to respond are also victims. The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund is designed to help first responders impacted by such tragedies.

Volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel affected by state- or federally-declared disaster can apply for a stipend of $250 to help meet basic needs in the aftermath of the disaster. To receive a stipend, the first responder must be an active volunteer firefighter, rescue worker, or EMS provider, be from an NVFC member state as an individual or department member of the state association, live (or have housing) in a state- or federally-declared disaster area, and have incurred an uninsurable loss in excess of $5,000. Learn more and apply for disaster relief at www.nvfc.org/supportfund.

The Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund relies on the donations of individuals and organizations to assist volunteer first responders in need. Click here to make your contribution to the fund. The NVFC donates all administrative costs associated with managing the fund, so all donations go directly to helping volunteer first responders in need.

Established in response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund has to date distributed almost half a million dollars to volunteer first responders in need. Click here to learn more.