THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION HONORS CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS DURING OCTOBER FIREFIGHTER APPRECIATION MONTH
California Legislature proclaims October 2026 as California Firefighter Appreciation Month as CFF invites Californians to honor firefighters, remember the fallen and support those who serve
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Fire Foundation (www.cafirefoundation.org) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting firefighters, their families and the communities they serve — is proud to honor California's firefighters during October Firefighter Appreciation Month. The California State Legislature has proclaimed October 2026 as California Firefighter Appreciation Month and October 3, 2026, as California Firefighters Memorial Day.
Firefighters protect Californians every day, responding to approximately 3 million incidents across the state each year - from fires and medical emergencies to natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, water rescues and other emergencies. October is an opportunity for every Californian to say thank you, recognize the risks firefighters take on our behalf and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
This year, the California Fire Foundation is also shining a light on the long-term health risks firefighters face. The California Legislature's 2026 resolution recognizes that firefighters have succumbed to job-related illnesses, including occupational cancer, as a result of the hazardous nature of the profession and repeated exposure to toxins.
THE DANGERS DON'T END WHEN THE FIRE IS OUT
- The California Fire Foundation is seeing a 45% increase this year, compared to 2025, in post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) related deaths among firefighters represented among its honorees.
- Cancer is a leading occupational health concern in the fire service. California Professional Firefighters identifies cancer as a major health risk and has advocated for California's firefighter cancer presumption, which provides workers' compensation protections for qualifying occupational cancers.
- California has also recognized post-traumatic stress injury as an occupational condition through workers' compensation protections for qualifying firefighters. Together, these risks underscore why supporting firefighters means supporting them not only while they are on the job, but also when they and their families need help afterward.
- The California Fire Foundation is helping address these risks by supporting initiatives like The California Fire Service Task Force on Behavioral Health's Safety Stand Down, which brings critical conversations about mental health, suicide prevention and overall well-being directly to firefighters during the month of September, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
HONORING 37 FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS
On October 3, the California Fire Foundation is hosting its annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento to commemorate the service and sacrifice of 37 California fire service professionals whose names will be added to the California Firefighters Memorial. The Memorial, maintained by the California Fire Foundation, currently carries more than 1,500 names and serves as California's permanent tribute to firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The California Fire Foundation is currently in Phase 2 of a four-phase expansion of the Memorial. As more fallen firefighters are added each year, the expansion will provide the space needed to preserve their stories and ensure every fallen firefighter can continue to be honored for the next 100 years. Donations to the California Fire Foundation help maintain this lasting tribute while also funding programs that provide direct support to firefighters, their families and the communities they serve.
WHAT PUBLIC SUPPORT MADE POSSIBLE IN 2025
When the Los Angeles Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire struck in January 2025, the California Fire Foundation mounted the largest disaster response in its history within 48 hours to deliver practical help to people who had lost homes and livelihoods, while firefighters continued protecting communities, with a commitment to long-term recovery.
- Delivered over $5 million in disaster relief statewide.
- More than $1.8 million in immediate aid provided to nearly 23,000 individuals impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, including 4,837 children.
- 124 grants totaling $5.57 million awarded statewide for disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery.
- More than $4.1 million distributed through nonprofit partners to assist individuals and families impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.
- 837 $250 SAVE cards distributed through 126 participating agencies, to provide immediate necessities after fires and other disasters.
- $188,000 in total aid provided to firefighters and their families through the California Firefighters Benevolent Fund.
- Nearly $50 million raised in 2025 to meet immediate needs and support long-term recovery.
That support included firefighters who lost their own homes while protecting others. It is a reminder that the people who run toward danger for their communities can also need help - and that public support makes it possible for the Foundation to be there when they do.
HOW CALIFORNIANS CAN HELP
Saying thank you matters. So does making sure help is available when firefighters, their families and disaster survivors need it. A donation to the California Fire Foundation helps sustain the programs that provide immediate assistance, family support, scholarships, disaster relief and a lasting memorial to those who gave their lives in service.
- Donate - Make a tax-deductible gift at CAFireFoundation.org. Your support helps the Foundation respond when disaster strikes, stand behind firefighters and their families, and preserve the California Firefighters Memorial.
- Partner - Businesses and individuals can host fundraisers benefiting the California Fire Foundation and help bring more people into the mission.
- Thank a Firefighter - Share gratitude on social media using #ThankAFirefighter and #FFAppreciationMonth.
- Share Your Story - Participate in the California Firefighters Memorial Oral History Project by leaving a voicemail tribute at 916-883-3580.
"California firefighters show up for us every day, answering the call when their communities need them most. This October, we invite Californians to honor that commitment by saying thank you, sharing their stories and helping us fulfill our promise to stand beside firefighters, their families and our communities, today and whenever they need us most."
— KARA HAYNES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. The Foundation's programs include survivor and victim assistance, disaster relief, fire recovery and preparedness, firefighter and family support, scholarships, the California Firefighters Memorial and other community initiatives.
PROGRAMS THAT TURN SUPPORT INTO ACTION:
- SAVE Program - Provides $250 cash cards to eligible survivors of fire and natural disasters for immediate necessities such as food, clothing, gas, medicine or a place to stay.
- California Firefighters Benevolent Fund - Provides assistance to firefighters and families affected by fire or natural disaster, line-of-duty injury or death.
- Daniel A. Terry Scholarship - Provides higher-education assistance to children of California firefighters who died in the line of duty; 12 scholarships totaling $36,000 were awarded in 2025.
- California Firefighters Memorial - Preserves and maintains our lasting tribute to more than 1,500 fallen California firefighters.
- Firefighters on Your Side - Delivers multilingual, culturally relevant fire-safety and preparedness information to communities, including traditionally underserved populations.
- Fire recovery, prevention and preparedness grants - Support fire departments, firefighter associations and community organizations working to strengthen preparedness, prevention and recovery across California.
For more information, visit CAFireFoundation.org and follow @CAFireFound on social media.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Destin Judy – (859) 913-6983 (mobile), destin@remarqinc.com
Lauren Kay – (310) 409-8754 (mobile), lauren@remarqinc.com
DeeDee Garcia, California Fire Foundation – (916) 906-3412 (mobile), dgarcia@cpf.org
- 2026 CA Firefighters Memorial (Oct 3)
- DONATE: Support at CAFireFoundation.org here
- ORAL HISTORY PROJECT: Share your firefighter stories here
- FIREFIGHTERS ON YOUR SIDE: Prepare with safety resources checklist here
- VIDEO: California Fire Foundation HELPS DURING LA COUNTY FIRES 2025 here
- LIVE STREAM on Sat. Oct 3 at 3PM: The 2026 Memorial Ceremony on October 3 will be streamed live in high definition on the California Fire Foundation's YouTube @TheCafirefoundation and Facebook (@CAFireFound) beginning at 3:00 PM – Direct: https://www.youtube.com/live/D8538szncaI
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SOURCE California Fire Foundation
