Fueled by Service: Our 2025 Year in Review
2025 was a big year for the D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation — the kind of year where you look back and think, wow… we actually did all of that.
A year of growth, new beginnings, familiar traditions, and the same mission that’s guided us since day one: showing up for burn survivors, their families, and the firefighters who risk everything for this community.
Here’s a look at what we accomplished together.
A Fresh Look — and a Stronger Story
This year we rolled out a completely refreshed brand, complete with a new logo that honors both the fire service and the recovery journey. And to go with it? A brand-new website designed to tell the full story of who we are, what we do, and why it all matters.
The goal was simple: make it easier for people to find support, connect with programs, and see the impact of their generosity. Mission accomplished — and we’re just getting started.
Standing With Survivors — Every Step of the Way
From the moment someone is injured to the day they return home (and well beyond), we’re here.
We continued our support for the burn units serving the D.C. metro region — helping fund critical equipment, patient programs, and family support so no one goes through recovery alone.
That commitment remains the heart of everything we do.
Burn Camp: A Week They’ll Remember Forever
Children’s Burn Camp is always a highlight, and 2025 was no exception.
Campers spent the week surrounded by fresh air, adventure, and people who truly understand what they’ve been through. For many survivors, this is the first place they feel completely at ease — and it’s an honor to help make that happen every year.
Phoenix World Burn Congress: Our Largest Group Yet
This October, we supported 60 attendees from the National Capital Region to attend Phoenix World Burn Congress — our largest group in Foundation history.
Seeing survivors, caregivers, and firefighters come together for connection, healing, and community was incredibly powerful.
A special thank-you to the Bert W. Martin Foundation for helping make this milestone possible.
Firefighter Burn Survivor Week: Connection, Recovery, and Real Support
Firefighter Burn Survivor Week continued its tradition of offering recovering firefighters a week devoted to healing, building confidence, and connecting with others who’ve walked a similar road.
It’s one of the most meaningful programs we run — and one that continues to grow in impact every year.
Adult Burn Survivor Retreat: Healing in the Mountains
We again partnered with the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, Colorado, giving adult burn survivors the chance to try adaptive skiing, snowboarding, and mountain adventures.
The transformation that happens here — the joy, the confidence, the friendships — lasts long after everyone heads home.
A Gala to Remember — A New Home at HQO
One of the biggest highlights of 2025: moving our Annual Fundraising Gala to its new home at HQO in the Navy Yard.
The space was beautiful, the energy was incredible, and the night brought together firefighters, survivors, families, and supporters in a way that felt both fresh and deeply rooted in our mission.
It set a whole new bar for what our gala can be — and we’re already excited for next year.
Community Support That Blew Us Away
This year brought meaningful support from across the region — including a generous donation from the Washington Capitals, who once again stepped up in a major way to support survivors and injured firefighters.
From long-standing partners to first-time donors, every gift made a difference.
Events That Brought Us Together
Whether it was the Rocklands Hot Sauce Contest & Pig Roast, The Salt Line Christmas Tree Lot, the Chief Nick Finamore Sporting Clays Shoot, our Golf Tournament, the DC Fire Hockey Tournament, or countless community-led fundraisers — each event reflected the same heartbeat: people showing up to support those who need it most.
Looking Ahead
If 2025 proved anything, it’s that this Foundation is powered by people — survivors, firefighters, families, donors, partners, volunteers, and an entire community that believes in standing together.
We’re proud of what we built this year, and even more excited for what’s ahead.
Thanks for being part of the story — and for helping us keep this mission burning bright.
And because pictures always tell the truth better than we can… here’s a look back at 2025 in photos — the big moments, the little moments, and everything in between.
