Fairfield Fire Fighters Announce Charitable Foundation

[Editor's note: The following information was provided in a press release from Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy.]

The newly formed Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation (FFFCF) was officially recognized by the state late last month and will kick off fundraising efforts in February.

The members of the organization -- which will be a non-profit, pending the designation from the IRS -- will band together with firefighters from Stratford, Norwalk for the Second Annual Beer and Wine Tasting Event at the Trumbull Marriott on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The event -- which takes place from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. -- will benefit the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by emailing FFFCF@iaff.org or contacting the organization through its Facebook page.

Already the FFFCF has donated to three organizations in 2013 and presented the checks at a ceremony on Jan. 12 with monies raised from the local chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) annual Santa Express Ride.

A $1,455 check was presented to the Get in Touch Foundation, a local organization that works with young women to understand the importance of early breast cancer detection. FFFCF presented a $4,500 check to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. An additional $4,500 was donated to the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation for the Connecticut Burn Center.

Over the last two years, IAFF has donated over $15,000 to the center, which was renovated recently. Now, the FFFCF will work to do the same.

“Renovating the Connecticut Burn Center became very personal to Local 1426 when one of our own had to be treat there last year for burns he received fighting a string of arson fires in our town," Phil Higgins, one of the FFFCF directors. "We’re happy to be able to pay it forward and make this Center a place where the best care is given to the victims who need it.”

Those wishing to donate to the FFFCF are asked to send checks to the FFFCF at 600 Jennings Road, Fairfield Connecticut, 06824. Information on the organization and the charities it supports is also available on Facebook and at iaff1426.org.