Public Safety Officer Benefits

Taking Care of Our Own® (TCOOO) is a training for senior fire officers designed to assist fire departments prepare for the worst – a line-of-duty death or serious injury. Fire service personnel and families who have lost a firefighter in the line-of-duty helped develop this one-day course. It covers pre-incident planning, survivor notification, family and co-worker support, and benefits and resources available to the families.

Comfort Zone bereavement camp programs for children ages 7-17 include use of age-based support groups led by licensed grief therapists. “Big Buddy” adult volunteers who are screened and trained to serve as mentors are assigned a youth throughout the duration of camp. The camps also provide an array of traditional camp activities including arts and crafts, games, and campfires.

Camp HAL (Healing After Loss) program is for children ages 4-6. Led by a licensed therapist who specializes in working with young children who are grieving. With support from NFFF staff and volunteers, the camp program uses play therapy and expressive therapy to help children express themselves in their natural language. Camp HAL includes a mix of activities appropriate for this age group, as well as some activities for children and parents together. Children stay with their parent overnight and when they are not in camp sessions.

The changes brought by COVID-19 have left many feeling even more disconnected and unsteady, with the future looking out of focus. The first weeklong virtual conference for Fire Hero and First Responder families "Through a New Lens", provided educational sessions, social opportunities, open discussions, practical life skills and creative sessions to navigate this new reality and help to put the world back in focus.

Hosted the last two workshops in the Grit, Grace, and Growth: For Widowed People. A series which began in November 2020 and continued through February 2021. Designed to assist widowed participants to identify and access grit when managing difficult circumstances and to facilitate development of individual growth opportunities and explore the value of grace when grieving and managing day to day lives. For four months, 44 attendees have been utilizing interactive journals and short videos on topics related to widowhood to share experiences, ideas, concerns, and hope.

There were 168 family volunteers sent 2,048 Remembrance cards to families of fallen firefighters near the anniversary date of each firefighter’s death. Family members wrote personal messages and mailed a specially designed card to other family members to arrive immediately before the anniversary date.

Hosted the monthly Men Forging Ahead, a virtual support group for men only. Designed to foster support and camaraderie between the men, sons, brothers, fathers, and stepfathers, in the Fire Hero Family community who often feel pressure to “be strong” for others or process feelings alone. This meeting provides a safe place for men to gather with other men who have experienced a similar loss, discuss shared experiences, and support one another.

Host virtual State Connections Group to connect Fire Hero Families within each state/region. The monthly virtual meeting fosters conversation between families to help build local connections, share information, and find support closer to home.

Host virtually, the monthly Remembrance Group for families of fallen firefighters and first responders. The anniversary of a loved one’s death often brings up emotions and memories that can be difficult. While the anniversary is deeply important, it often is not recognized by friends, co-workers, or others in our lives. Sometimes it is helpful to be with others who truly understand.

Despite the obstacles associated with COVID-19, we remain dedicated to our core mission of supporting the Fire Hero Families. Adapting to these new circumstances, researched, and implemented new ways to bring resources, workshops, and meetings to families using virtual platforms. Hosted weekly Peer Support Groups each Wednesday evening virtually for family members of fallen firefighters. Fire Hero Families share with each other stories, struggles, and ideas.