First grant of 2008!

We’ve made the first grant of 2008 to Chief David Howard, a volunteer firefighter from the small town of Zephyr, Texas. While responding to a grass fire near Zephyr, Chief Howard succumbed to second and third degree burns on his face, hands, and arms. Chief Howard was not wearing his protective gear at the time because he had given it to a fellow firefighter on the scene. Chief Howard is now recovering but must travel over 160 miles twice weekly for his care and therapy. As is the case in many small communities, there were not enough funds for the volunteer firefighters to have insurance coverage. This is one of the reasons why we do what we do… this grant money will help this firefighter and his family when otherwise they’d be struggling to make ends meet.

Happy New Year!

It’s the start of the new year, and we (finally) have a newly remodeled website at www.wpiff.org. This has been a project in the making for over a year, so we are quite happy that it is finalized and online. One way we are getting the word out is through an eblast to all of our contacts. We’ve found this to be a great way of sharing news without taking up too much of someone’s time. Our new site should make it easier for people to find information about the grant recipients and the 4th annual chili cook-off, which we scheduled for October 18, 2008.

A season to reflect and give thanks...

As the WPIFF winds down after another year, we reflect on the generosity of our donors and supporters and the heroism of the U.S. Fire Administration service men and women of this country. Our 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off provided us the funds to grant $29,000 to fire departments, department personnel, and their families in need. While we are happy to report these grants and a successful year for the WPIFF, we also realize that 2007 was a difficult year for many fire department personnel and their families.

Each year in this country, we lose an average of 100 firefighters. This year, we lost 109 firefighters in the line of duty, 57 of whom were career firefighters and an astounding 52 were volunteers.

The stories of these men and women vary. Some were just beginning their life journey, like Austin Cheek, a volunteer firefighter who was just 19 years old when he died of asphyxiation while trapped inside a burning building. Others were like 76 year old Anthony Catania, a volunteer fire commissioner and safety officer who devoted more than half of his life to protecting his New York community from fires.

While each and every one of these 109 individuals has a unique story, they share a common bond: they devoted their lives to protect their communities. They responded to the call – day or night. These men and women leave behind a legacy and countless family and friends. We ask that you remember them and their families during this holiday season.


If you would like to learn more about the WPI Firefighters’ Fund or make a donation, please visit www.wpiff.org. You can find a full list of the grants we have made to date along with information about our organization, our annual fundraising event, our board of directors, and much more. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Making grants

The WPIFF has granted a total of $29,000 to fire departments in Texas and Oklahoma in 2007.

Funds raised from the chili cook-off have already been distributed to special firefighters who we would like you to know about. Here’s how all of the generous donations have made a difference in the lives of two firefighters and their families:

Family of Bill Bunch – Miami, Oklahoma
Injured - Line of Duty
Grant $9,000
Bill Bunch of the Miami, OK Fire Department was injured on November 13, 2006 while responding to a semi-tractor trailer fire on an overpass. While working the fire, he fell from the overpass, suffering bilateral femur fractures; heel fractures; scapula, clavicle, and facial fractures; and severe brain injury. Bunch is currently in rehabilitation at the Tejas House, in Austin, TX. Some of his injuries are permanent and require him to use a wheelchair. His wife, Janet, is working to renovate their home to fit Bunch’s wheelchair as well as learn how to care for him.

Capt. Roger Crues, Elmo Volunteer Fire Department FD
Injured – Line of Duty
Grant $10,000
Capt. Roger Crues was injured while attempting to rescue a fellow firefighter who was trapped inside a burning home. Crues suffered injuries to his right arm and hand, and in the past week has undergone a successful, corrective surgery and is currently in recovery. Crues is self-employed and has no insurance. The fire department does not have injury coverage and unfortunately the homeowners insurance will not cover the accident, as volunteer firefighters fall into a contractor’s category. The WPIFF was able to assist Capt. Crues and his family by granting them $10,000 to help cover expenses of his $30,000 surgery.

During this time of year as we prepare for the holidays, we ask you to remember your local and national firefighters. THANK YOU to all who have supported the WPIFF. You make these grants possible!

If you would like to donate to the WPIFF, please visit www.wpiff.org or contact Robin Williams at robin.williams@williams-pyro.com or 817.870.8006.

Chili Cook-Off was a success, thank you!

Please accept my thanks and heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your involvement and support of this year's Stop, Drop, & Roll Chili Cook-Off. We were very successful and the event is growing each year - that is the sign of a tradition in the making.

The event hosted 2900 attendees; 33 CASI Chili Teams; 4 CASI Show Teams; 28 Novice Teams (only 21 submitted chili to the judges - the other 7 were just there to help us feed the crowd - thank you!); 15 vendor/display booths; 40+ chili judges; loads of auction goodies; 4 firefighter contest teams; and lots of new sponsors, donors, and supporters. Funds raised (including all elements of our annual campaign) were in excess of $80,000.00. This figure does not even include the value of in-kind donations from folks like Budweiser, Clear Channel, ESPN, 93.3 The Bone, Kerby Wilcox's Iron Pig BBQ, The Grapevine Fire Department, and so many others that gave of their services to help us meet our goals of supporting the fire service of this great nation.

Check out the "Click" section of the Star Telegram for photographs of the chili cook-off. You can also view more pictures taken by one of our beloved volunteers.

Thanks again, everyone!

Remembering September 11

Today is September 11, 2007, and it is hard to believe that it has been six years since the tragedy of 9/11. Many times throughout the year, our minds drift back to that day. For many of us, myself included, as the time passes, we go on about the business of life, and the tragedy six years ago starts to seem like it’s only a bad dream. We push back the emotions and memories, rush along through the day, or maybe we just don’t think about it.

But reading and watching the news today reminded me of the thousands of those who don’t go a day without thinking about 9/11. I wanted to take a moment to remember the family and friends of all of those lost on September 11, 2001.

"I think about him every single day," Bob Carlo said last week as the sixth anniversary of the terrorists' attack grew closer. "It never gets any easier. I get choked up talking about it. It's like it happened yesterday." Carlo lost his son Michael, a New York firefighter, on September 11th. Carlo said families' lives changed forever that sunny morning six years ago. "They have their memories like I have mine. My sons were best friends, not just brothers. They did everything together."

Bob Carlo is one of thousands who lost a loved one that day. And there is not a day that goes by that he does not think of his son. I know that we are told to focus on the positive in life and we know that time heals pain. But on the other hand, we sometimes do need to reflect on the past, pay homage, or simply cry. Part of that pain is what helps keep the memory of those fallen heroes alive. Just as if they were our own family, we should all take a moment of our day to appreciate the courage and bravery of all of those lost on that tragic September day. Let us not forget them.

Sadness, again

In the days just after September 11, 2001, our nonprofit Firefighters' Fund "adopted" an FDNY fire station - Engine 24 / Ladder 5 - in Greenwich Village. Members of our nonprofit were involved in fundraising and not much else for several weeks, and after collecting thousands of dollars, we went to New York to deliver grants to the 11 families of Engine 24 / Ladder 5 who lost their firefighters that terrible day. We spent time with them - crying, laughing, sharing meals and stories and hope with them. And when our time there was through, and we left New York to come back home, we knew that we left stronger than we'd been when we arrived. Six years later, not many of the original crew still work there, but this firehouse will always be a special place for us.

And now this, again - not two weeks ago, Engine 24 / Ladder 5 lost two more firefighters who died battling a fire at the former Deutsche Bank building - one of the buildings damaged in the original attacks of September 11. Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino became trapped in maze-like conditions on the 14th floor of the building, which is still undergoing demolition. They suffered severe smoke inhalation and were taken to NY Downtown Hospital in cardiac arrest, where they succumbed to their injuries.

Please keep the families of these firefighters - of all firefighters - in your thoughts. Remember what they do for us, what they give to us. It is everything.