Our mission is personal.

We’ve seen what fire takes. That’s why we show up—to support survivors, fund care, and offer hope beyond the burn.

OUR STORY & PURPOSE

Behind every fire we respond to, there's a story—
and behind this foundation is one, too.
This work didn’t start in a boardroom.
It started in firehouses, burn units, and hospital waiting rooms—
where real lives were changed forever.

Founded by firefighters. Sustained by community. Driven by purpose.

The D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation (DCFFBF) was established in 2004 by a group of active and retired Washington, D.C. firefighters who had seen firsthand the devastation that fire can bring—not just to the body, but to the spirit. Motivated by this deep personal connection to burn survivors, they set out to do more. More for injured firefighters. More for children and adults recovering from burns. More for families navigating the long road of recovery.

Since then, DCFFBF has grown into a grassroots nonprofit that provides compassionate, hands-on support across every stage of healing. We fund critical burn treatment and recovery programs at top medical facilities like the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Hospital. We support local and national retreats for survivors and families. And we stand alongside children who’ve survived burn injuries, helping them reclaim joy, confidence, and connection at burn camps and peer events.

In the last 20 years, we've contributed over $10 million toward direct support for survivors and the medical teams who care for them—and we’re just getting started.

Our Mission

At the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, our missions is to prevent burns and improve the quality of life for burn survivors through programs, education, and research.

At our core, we’re a firefighter-led foundation grounded in empathy, fueled by action, and strengthened by the generosity of our community.

Why it matters

Every year, an estimated one million Americans sustain burn injuries, with over 45,000 requiring hospitalization. Roughly one-third of those injured are children. These statistics aren’t just numbers—they're lives changed in an instant.

Our foundation exists because recovery doesn’t stop at discharge. Burn survivors and their families face a long, complex journey that demands community, resilience, and support. DCFFBF is here to walk that path with them—from the moment of injury to long-term rehabilitation.

How We Achieve It

We turn mission into action through three core areas of impact.

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR BURN SURVIVORS

From the ICU to life after discharge, we walk alongside survivors and their families every step of the way. We fund burn camps, adaptive retreats, peer support, and aftercare programs that rebuild confidence and connection.

We help survivors move forward — on their terms, in their time.

firefighter & family assistance

When a firefighter is injured, our Family Services Team shows up immediately. We cover travel, lodging, meals, and offer emotional support so families can stay close, focused, and cared for during the toughest days.

Because when one of our own gets hurt, we step in. Period.

Training, Care & Community Connection

We invest in the full recovery ecosystem — funding education for burn-care providers, reentry support for survivors, and programs that strengthen bonds between survivors, first responders, and medical teams.

Stronger teams mean better outcomes — in the hospital and beyond.