Following the devastating events of September 11th, 2001, members of the Brooklyn community began the Friends of Firefighters non-profit group. They were dedicated to helping firefighters through the recovery process, both mentally and physically, as well as providing any support they could to the families who lost loved ones on that tragic day. Their mission is to provide long-term support and services through confidential counseling, wellness services, and other assistance required by firefighters and their families.
An open door policy during business hours, there is always a pot of hot coffee and a kitchen table for people to sit around. If a firefighter, or a firefighter’s family member needs to talk, they always have an open ear. FoF also offers onsite counseling for individuals, couples, or families, and a Peer Support Program where firefighters can seek out the guidance of one of their brothers. Friends of Firefighters has also set up a college scholarship, funded by the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation, that is awarded to college age children whose parent has retired as a result of September 11th.
Also looking to assist the families of firefighters, both active and retired, FoF offers a support group for women. Wives, partners, girlfriends, or widows are invited to utilize the mental health and wellness services, including counseling, massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture and financial strategies.
Their continued efforts were especially appreciated after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Friends of Firefighters included even more counseling and disaster relief as Brooklyn’s Bravest worked hard to restore the city, even while most of them had suffered significant damage to their own homes.