Supporting Our Nation's First Responders
“It was hard to tell the difference between the fireworks in the neighborhood and the flashing lights of the approaching rescue squad.”
We had just finished dinner. The kids were scrambling to find shoes and run outside for the start of sparklers and the highly anticipated fireworks. It all changed in an instant. I will never forget the cry from my sister’s voice, “Call 911, Devin’s having a seizure.”
Sacrifice is a way of life for first responders. They respond when a call is received, leaving their own families to aid ours. First responder families sacrifice too because their loved one responds for our loved ones. In recognition of these sacrifices, the annual “Awards of Excellence” provides multiple $500 scholarships to high school seniors each spring. The recipients must have a parent who is a first responder and demonstrate outstanding commitment to their community. There is no better way to thank our first responders than to recognize their high school senior with a scholarship to help achieve their goals!
Continue reading “Support the First Responders Foundation Today & Stand With Them!”
The First Responders Foundation congratulates the students who graduated from the Tri-County Fire Corps Exploring Program on Sunday, November 17th.
The Tri-County Fire Corps Exploring Program is a cooperative effort of the greater Omaha area fire departments, Metro Community College and the First Responders Foundation, in a public-private partnership. This program provides a unique opportunity for 16-19 year old youth to learn the skills necessary for a career in firefighting.
Guns N Hoses – Another red vs blue competition!
Mark your calendars for the June 28th Salute to First Responders Night and Whelen, Fire, Safety, and Police Night.
During intermission of the NASCAR Whelen Racing Series there will be two feature heats each with 2 police officers and 2 firefighters. The top 4 from those heats will race for the championship.
Racing for the Red Team:
Brad Lucas from the Omaha Fire Department
Matt Meyer from the Omaha Fire Department
Dustin Wyman for the Omaha Fire Department
Pat Wolf from the Omaha Fire Depaartment
The Captain of the Red Team in First Responders Foundation Vice President Mary Rosenthal.
Racing for the Blue Team:
Larry Schwartz from the Bellevue Police Department
Adam Smith from the Red Oak, IA Police Department
Dave Volenec from the Omaha Police Department
Matt Baughman from the Omaha Police Department and Pilot for Able 1
The Captain of the Blue Team is Jim Cahill Director of Security at NE Furniture Mart.
Who will make it to the finish line first! Come out and cheer on your TEAM!
There will be a reverse tribute lap before the race honoring all fallen first responders. Law enforcement and fire vehicles will take part in this lap. The OPD helicopter will also be overhead depending on weather and their availability. The National Anthem will be sung by David Volenec, one of the racers. At the end of the tribute lap and the national anthem, the OPD helicopter will do a flyover, stop, and bow to the crowd. The helicopter is scheduled to come back again during the races at intermission.
This event is a fundraiser for First Responders foundation. The money raised will go to the FRST Program (First Responders Foundation – First Responders Support Team) in honor of Jeremy Knott, OFD.
FRF will have merchandise for sale and other fun ways to support the foundation. Donations and purchases will help the First Responders Foundation continue to offer the programs and services that help first responders and their families in the metro area.
FREE Tickets for all First Responders. Contact Mary Rosenthal at mary@firstrespondersomaha.org. Tickets must be obtained prior to the event.
To purchase tickets visit https:http://www.i-80speedway.com/i80/events/nascar-weekly-points-night-7/
The racing will start at 7:10pm but come early to see the police and fire practice rounds and other fun activities prior to the race!
This Friday at 7pm, there will be a special tribute to fallen Officer Kerrie Orozco & Deputy Mark Burbridge at the I-80 Speedway, featuring driver Jim Cahill doing a reverse tribute lap in his car (pictured below) followed by the Omaha Police Dept., Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Dept., Douglas County Sheriff’s Dept., Ralston Police Dept., Bellevue Police Dept., La Vista Police dept., Papillion Police Dept., and the Council Bluffs Police Dept.
Cahill’s race car is wrapped in graphics as a tribute to Deputy Mark Burbridge.
The First Responders Foundation will also be on hand to participate in the tribute lap and raise money to support area first responders.
Below is a news article from WOWT announcing that our Bleeding and Shock Kits campaign met its fundraising goal! Read the article below, or click here to watch a video of the story.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) — The campaign to outfit metro first responders with a new layer of life-saving gear has hit its funding target and the new tools are in place.
We told you about the Bleeding and Shock Kit Project last month.
The goal is to protect the citizens of Omaha in the event of a mass casualty incident. The project will outfit 24 of the City’s emergency response vehicles with life-saving kits that include items such as tourniquets, pressure dressings, decompression needles and more.
Officials announced Thursday that the project had met its funding goal in time for the College World Series.
The $25,000 project was funded thanks to donations from the public, along with funding and assistance from organizations such as the First Responders Foundation, CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy, Nebraska Medicine, MECA, the Omaha Professional Fire Fighters Association, and Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate.
“We’re extremely thankful to the corporations that stepped up in support of this project, as well as the citizens of
Omaha who donated,” said project organizer and Omaha Firefighter Dustin Talacko. “With your support, Omaha is now better equipped to handle an unthinkable crisis, should one occur.”
As part the opening of their second location in Aksarben Center, My Pie Pizza vowed to donate 20% of all sales from Saturday, January 26th through Sunday, January 27th back to the First Responders Foundation.
“We didn’t get the best Omaha winter weather the week we opened, but we made the most of it that weekend. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the First Responders Foundation in whatever way possible,” said Blair Horner, Owner of My Pie Pizza.
Horner, and his daughter Anna Horner, General Manager, presented us with a check for $507 from the event.
“We are honored that My Pie Pizza chose the First Responders Foundation to partner with for their Grand Opening. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future,” said Al Batschelet, President and CEO.
contact@firstrespondersfoundation.org
The First Responders Foundation does not solicit donations by phone or employ outside companies to do so. You can make a donation by mail, by phone or through our website.
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