Extended Fire Fighter Family Takes Care of California Widow

September 5, 2008 -- Ventura County, CA Local 1364 fire fighter Phil Vuola and his wife, Alyssa, were on vacation in April 2006 when tragedy struck and Phil died in his sleep. Since then, members of Local 1364 and other IAFF affiliates have continuously supported the Vuola family, including starting an education fund for the fallen fire fighter’s three young children.

“I have always been proud of the brotherhood among fire fighters, but the ongoing support for the Vuola family has been incredible,” says Steve Kaufmann, executive vice president of Ventura County, CA Local 1364.

The Vuola family was in Henderson, Nevada, when Phil, a six-year veteran fire fighter and 15-year veteran paramedic, died. When Henderson Local 1883 fire fighters learned Vuola was a fire fighter, they stayed with Alyssa and offered assistance to the family until Local 1364 members arrived.

As Vuola’s widow began dealing with the reality of her husbands’ untimely death, Alyssa realized she needed to address several financial issues. In order to offset financial stress, Local 1364 agreed to help her raffle the family boat.

At the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) Convention in May 2008, San Bernardino County, CA Local 935 bought five tickets, one of which was the winning ticket. Wanting to do more to help the Vuola family, Local 935 auctioned the boat a second time for more $18,000, giving all of it to a trust fund for the Vuolas’ three children – Christian, 9, Ashley, 6, and Nicholas, 2 – for their education.

Heartened by Local 935’s generosity, Local 1364 Vice President Kaufmann took a point of personal privilege at the 2008 IAFF Convention in Las Vegas to thank Local 935 for helping one of their fire fighter families.

“The outpouring of support has been pretty incredible,” says Alyssa Vuola. “The fire fighters were right there with my family from the beginning and they are still here. They still call to see how I’m doing and offer to help with my children. I am very lucky to have them as my extended family.”