Created in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, the 911 FUND was conceived by former members of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), with all of our efforts being voluntary and unpaid. We neither request nor accept financial contributions for the work that we do, and the 911 FUND was born from the personal, hard-won experience and first-hand knowledge of New York City firefighters and emergency personnel, all-of-whom worked on September 11th at the World Trade Center, and for countless days thereafter.
As we watched brother firefighters commit their efforts, and in 343 cases their lives, to the rescue of 25,000 innocent civilians, we became convinced of the need to enhance our systems of emergency management and preparedness, and to share our skills and lessons-learned domestically with friends and allies the world over.
Ever since September 11th, we have worked to acquire fire trucks, ambulances and related equipment, then to donate it, along with training, as part of a continuing effort to build preparedness, reduce risk, enhance civilian safety, and minimize property loss from fire and other types of disasters. 100% of the training and equipment that we provide is given free-of-charge to firefighters and emergency first responders.
Service, solidarity, fraternity, brotherhood, a willingness to accept risks and make sacrifices is the common bloodline of firefighters worldwide. Access to the training and equipment that we provide routinely means the difference between life and death, and it's our belief that these are gifts that keep on giving, while adhering to the best principles and highest traditions of the American fire service.
Over the past few years we’ve donated fire trucks, ambulances, equipment and/or training to Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Haiti, Panama, Paraguay, Spain, South Africa, Uruguay, etc. Transportation of donated equipment and apparatus has typically been provided for free or at minimal cost from freight forwarders and shipping companies who share our common goals and values.
