Supporting Denver’s Firefighters
The Denver Fire Department Foundation raises funds to support our firefighters by providing safety and wellness equipment and programming, as well as public education about fire safety and prevention. Our firefighters work 24/7 to keep Denver safe – our efforts are centered on making sure they have what they need to stay safe and healthy too.
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Our Top Funding Priorities
Firefighting Gear
Our firefighters need the right protective equipment to stay safe, like single-layer bunking gear, ballistic vests, and more. The City of Denver’s budget is stretched thin and we help fill the funding gap to get firefighters the gear they need.
Defibrillators and training
Firefighters are often the first to arrive in an emergency and defibrillators are an important tool for first responders. In situations where seconds matter, having the training for and access to this life-saving medical equipment is critical.
Public Education
Denver’s firefighters spend a significant amount of time engaging with the community. From educational school visits to smoke and carbon monoxide detector distribution to running career exploration camps for Denver youth, community risk reduction is an important part of their work.
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$6,482,472 Raised
Plus in-kind contributions of more than $430,000 and countless meals that were donated during COVID.
Thanks to supporters like you, DFDF is able to fund highly-skilled, specialized grant writing that multiplies the impact of your donations many times over. We have been extraordinarily effective in securing grant funding and every dollar donated is more than matched through grants we are awarded to benefit the department and the community.
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What We Acomplished in 2023
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs)
299 New SCBAs & 766 New Facemasks
SCBAs and Facemasks are a literal life line for firefighters. The new SCBAs include modern safety and mechanical features that reduce fatigue and related injuries, and reduce the potential for a life threatening injury.
“The new SCBAs fit much better and closer to my firefighters thus increasing their mobility on scene. They also are easier to stow back in the rig which reduces ergonomic wear and tear on the individual’s body.”
-Captain Ben Grover, Engine 1
Extrication Tools
Extrication Tools
16 trucks and three rescue rigs got a suite of new battery powered extrication tools including cutters, spreaders, rams, telescopic rams and ram extensions. This advanced technology results in less time and energy being exerted by Denver Firefighters in near daily vehicle extractions.
“Transitioning to the battery-powered Holmatro auto extraction equipment offers enhanced mobility, reduced fatigue on the firefighters, and increased operational efficiency. When compared to the traditional hydraulic tools it makes a significant leap in the speed of getting the tools in use, and opened our versatility in transitioning between tools during an extrication.”
– Captain Chris Dillon, T8
Volunteer Hours in 2023
Fire Station Quality of Life
Firefighters spend one out of every three days living in the firehouse – it’s truly their second home during 24-hour shifts. Just like other homes, firehouses need repair and maintenance. Volunteers helped rehabilitate some of our oldest firehouses and those most in need of repair.
Denver Fire Department Foundation Student Scholarships
The Denver Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation and the Denver Fire Department Foundation in partnership with Burg Simpson, Philanthropy Experts, United Health Care and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP are pleased to announce the 2023 Denver Fire Scholarship winners. Each winner, who is a child of an active or retired Denver firefighter, received a $1,500 scholarship. This scholarship program grows out of our interest in giving back to the Denver Fire community.
2023 Scholarship Winners
Sydney Bales
Owen Feran
Jakob Gonzales
Isabelle Hageman
Rosella Martinez
Katie McCraw
Jayden Warlum
Conner Wiederrich
Who We Are
The Denver Fire Department Foundation was founded in 2007 by a group of business and community leaders who saw an opportunity to meet safety needs that weren’t being addressed through the city budget. At the center of our collective commitment is our desire to give our firefighters a better chance to return home safely at the end of each shift.
We are dedicated to improving safety in Denver and for members of the Denver Fire Department by supporting firefighter safety and wellness, community education and preparedness, and improving firefighter quality of life.
Our Board
Amanda Steffan
Chair of the Board
Josh Hanfling
Founder
Lynea Hansen
Treasurer
Laura Douglas
Executive Director
Kirby (Lind) Boynton
Board Member
Tom Campbell
Board Member
Lara Day
Board Member
Nick Fogel
Board Member
Brent Kline
Board Member
Upcoming Events
2024
Public Safety Luncheon
Stay tuned for our 2024 date.
On November 2, 2023 we hosted the 13th annual Denver Public Safety Luncheon which raised over $42,000 for 6 public safety foundations.
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