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IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
provides assistance to IAFF members in the United
States and Canada who suffer financial hardship as
the result of a federally declared disaster area or
in cases of natural or man-made disasters, such as
floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires or
civil disturbances.
Created in 1993 as a nonprofit, tax
exempt, trust fund affiliated with the IAFF, the
Disaster Relief Fund provides immediate cash to IAFF
members in time of greatest need. The Fund was
established after the IAFF assistance to its members
following the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.
Disbursements from the fund are only
be made to IAFF members suffering a catastrophic
loss with resulting financial hardship following
such a disaster and are not granted to cover costs
to perform building or property repairs, renovation
or construction. A member is only eligible for
assistance if he or she is displaced from his/her
home because of the disaster. Disbursements are only
allowed for immediate housing, food, medical
supplies and services, clothing and other similar
disaster relief. The maximum amount of any grant is
$500.00 for any single disaster occurrence.
After Hurricanes Charley, Francis,
Ivan and Jeanne caused widespread damage in 2004;
the Fund disbursed more than $215,000 to 347 IAFF
members in Florida and Alabama who were displaced by
the storms.
After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and
Wilma in 2005, the Fund disbursed more than
$1,750,000 to IAFF members in Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Texas and Florida who were displaced by
the storms. Additionally, the IAFF assisted more
than 45 local affiliates and their 5,000 members in
the stricken area, and provided incident command
staff, communications, evacuation, food, medicine
(including vaccinations and baseline medical
evaluations), behavioral health and counseling,
building materials, crews for house repairs,
transportation and housing support. The Fund
provided more than $500,000 for these efforts.
The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund is
governed by a five-member Board of Trustees chaired
by IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger.
The IAFF Disaster Relief Fund is a
501 (c)(3) Trust Fund. Tax deductible contributions
can be sent to:
IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
1750 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 824-1571
Click here to donate online.
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