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About GTFF

We Are Always Ready To Serve Those Who Serve Us

The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation (GTFF) began as the brainchild of a few fresh retirees who wanted to ensure firefighters could live long and healthy lives well into their retirement years. Founded in 2010, the mission was simple: help fill unmet needs in cardiac health and fitness, cancer awareness and prevention, and mental health and wellness. According to a study commissioned by the International Association of Firefighters, cancer has become the number one cause of firefighter fatalities. In 2019, the number of firefighters who took their own life was greater than the number killed fighting fires. We are here to provide our firefighters and their families with the physical and mental health support they need.

From humble beginnings passing the boot and hosting poker run fundraisers to a nearly million-dollar-per-year nonprofit, GTFF has become the go-to gateway resource for firefighters and fire departments in southern Arizona to help bridge gaps in unmet needs. For every dollar donated, nearly $0.98 goes directly to support firefighters. Help us ensure that firefighters can survive into retirement.

How We Work

How The GTFF Works

We operate on a set of principles that have driven our organization to make a significant impact in our communication so far!

Collaboration

We hold bi-monthly meetings for our full board of trustees. Our meetings typically provide information to our trustees about the main programs, as well as any special projects underway and request for funding allocation.

Communication

Our executive board meets every month to stay on top of the day-to-day operations of the foundation. Oftentimes these meetings are held electronically.

Integrity

Due to the often time-sensitive nature of some requests, our Board Chair and Vice Chair may authorize funding to cover treatment (s) between board meetings within the overall guidance granted to them by the board of trustees.

Our Programs

Our Impact

Cancer Prevention

When firefighters sign up for their careers, they know many of the well published risks the career choice carries. However, few realize the extent of the cancer risk until well after they have started their careers.

Cardiac Wellness Services

Heart disease is a leading killer of firefighters. The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation provides ultrasounds and other cardiac screening for at-risk firefighters and those over 45 years of age.

Mental Health

Supporting the psychological health and well-being of our Firefighters and First Responders is one of the Foundation’s top three priorities. In May 2017, the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation launched a new Crisis Prevention hotline to provide faster support in times of crisis.

HERO Program

Hardship can strike at a moment’s notice, and firefighters are no different. That’s why we created the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) program to lessen the economic impacts a hardship may place on firefighters and their families.

Firefighters Beyond Borders

Launched in 2013 by Greater Tucson Fire Foundation’s Chairman Mike McKendrick, the Firefighters Beyond Borders program connects our Firefighters in Arizona with the Firefighting community in Israel to support one another in times of need.

Peer Fitness and Injury Prevention

The Fire Foundation’s Peer Fitness and Injury Prevention Program support the physical health of our Firefighters. The Fire Foundation continues to provide fitness training and education for Firefighters throughout Southern Arizona.

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