Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation is Spreading Warmth!
For Lieutenant Bob Smith, being a part of the Fairfield Fire Department includes a lot more than extinguishing fires. As the head of the Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation, Bob oversees numerous fundraisers and community service initiatives. Although the concept was introduced by the Fire Fighters Union, Bob and his colleagues started the 501 (c) (3) charity in 2012 to raise awareness of their mission.
The Foundation contributes funds and service to many causes, including Muscular Dystrophy, Pediatric and Adult Cancer, local coat drives and the U.S. Veterans. For example, each Labor Day, drivers and pedestrians will spot firefighters holding out large boots on street corners, requesting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This annual program is run by the International Association of Firefighters and Fairfield alone has donated upwards of $300,000 so far! “What we love about our charitable work is seeing smiles on people’s faces. Ordinarily, nobody calls us when they’re having a great day. Having positive interactions with the community is a nice change of pace!” Bob remarks.
Lt. Robert Smith, FFD
By far, Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation’s largest fundraiser is the Santa Express, now in its 16th year. Santa arrives by firetruck with sirens and lights blazing at people’s homes, visiting with children and posing for photos, alongside Mrs. Claus and other North Pole helpers. What began with visits to six families has snowballed (forgive the winter-themed pun!) into over 100 stops annually, with Santa meeting with more than 700 kids each season. Funds are raised by charging a fee for each visit, based on the number of children in attendance. Bob proudly shared that the Charitable Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer.
Photo cred: Fairfield Fire Department
“Our firehouse family has been hit by cancer numerous times, so our efforts are very personal. We’re especially invested in helping those affected by pediatric cancer.”
Lt. Smith is a third-generation Fairfield firefighter, whose family has dedicated 100 years of service to the town. As a Fairfield native and current resident, Bob is invested in the community through the many hats he wears at the Fire Department. Not only is he the head of the Charitable Foundation, but is also the Public Information Officer, handling media requests and projects as well as the Assistant Planning Officer, coordinating emergency plans for storms and health issues such as COVID.
One of his most valuable roles is as the Director of Peer Support. “Firefighters have an exceptionally high rate of suicide and substance abuse, topics that haven’t been discussed in the past. This program is a way for firefighters and police officers to look out for one another,” Bob explains. “Speaking with a fellow first responder who offers an insider’s perspective is much more effective for many suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues.”
Without a doubt, Fairfield is lucky to have such a community-oriented team of firefighters looking out for the town and fellow first responders!
For more information about the outstanding work of the Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation, or to book a visit from the Santa Express, please visit https://fffcf.org/
