“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”

— Barack Obama

Memories of September 11^th have been “firmly embedded in the minds of most Americans old enough to recall the attacks.”¹ Though marked by a tragic event in modern American history, this day revealed the resilience of American citizens and their willingness to risk their own lives to help others.

In the aftermath of September 11^th, notable agencies began surveying the physical and mental health effects of this event on the American people, especially first responders and survivors who managed to escape the World Trade Center. For example, the World Trade Center Registry enrolled over 71,000 individuals to study the physical and mental health effects of September 11^th. Most notably registered were first responders, passersby, residents of the surrounding building, evacuated workers in the World Trade Center, and volunteers who spent time at Ground Zero weeks afterward.² Furthermore, USA Today stated that the rate of various cancers among first responders was over 30% higher than the general population, with the average September 11^th first responder living until around age 55.

Since the tragedy, about 10,000 first responders and others have been diagnosed with cancer-related to being present at Ground Zero, and more than 2,000 have died.³ Through data collected over the past 12 months from medical claims, pharmacy claims, certifications, and enrollment applications, nearly 13,000 responders and survivors have been diagnosed with cancers, respiratory illnesses, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, et cetera.⁴

In honor of remembering the fallen heroes and survivors of September 11^th, USFCR wants to provide a few opportunities to first responder agencies that can elevate their communities.

The Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation is offering funding for first responder organizations and public safety agencies for the first 2025 quarter. This opportunity will focus on prevention education, disaster relief, scholarships & continued education, and lifesaving equipment. Be aware that the Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation does not provide reimbursements for purchased equipment. Eligible applicants include fire departments, EMS, public safety organizations, schools, and nonprofit organizations.

The grant portal officially opens Thursday, October 10^th, 2024, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time and will remain open until a maximum of 600 grant applications have been submitted. Per the Foundation’s guidelines, the Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation funds recipients between $15,000 and $35,000. Requests exceeding $50,000 will not be accepted.

The Foundation encourages applicants to submit their applications early to secure their request. At this time, only U.S. foundations are eligible to apply. Interested Canadian applicants will need to email CanadaFoundation@firehousesubs.com to request the grant application. Furthermore, previous grant recipients must wait a minimum of two years from their date of approval before reapplying. For technical questions, please email Foundation@FirehouseSubs.com. 

Note: USFCR’s Grant Department is familiar with this Foundation’s application and can offer assistance.

TC Energy’s Build Strong Program wishes to partner with American and Canadian nonprofits, social enterprises, indigenous groups, and municipalities to leave a social impact and help build stronger, vibrant communities. Through this program, TC Energy focuses on safety, education, resilient communities, and the environment. Applying for equipment, training, and emergency preparedness specifically for first responders is acceptable under the focus area of safety. Additionally, the focus of STEM education, career/job readiness, and other environmental and community programs are available to ensure the enhancement of local society.

Be aware that this opportunity runs until November 8^th, 2024. Furthermore, eligible applicants must serve residents in a roughly 20-mile (30-kilometer) radius of TC Energy’s operations.

Ineligible Organizations & Expenses

• Individuals
• Private schools
• For-profit organizations
• Religious, political, or special interest groups
• Organizations that discriminate based on religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation
• Advocacy and lobbying initiatives (including organizations lobbying against the energy industry)
• Organizations seeking to provide scholarships to students
• Arts organizations (theatres, museums, orchestras, etc.)
• Organizations seeking to purchase firearms/weapons (bulletproof vests, guns, ammunition, etc.)
• Trips/tours
• Recreation/sports organizations and events
• Third-party fundraisers
• Mass-mailed or unaddressed solicitations
• Advertising, memberships, ticket sales, or lotteries

For more information, contact build_strong@tcenergy.com to connect with the Social Impact team.

The Gary Sinise Foundation offers an ongoing opportunity for emergency response providers in the United States and its territories to training and equipment. Eligible applicants include fire departments, law enforcement departments, Search & Rescue (SAR) organizations, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) departments. Volunteer departments, as well as low and underfunded departments, will be given priority.

Ineligible Expenses:

• Building and operating costs (i.e. construction, utilities, land fees, etc.)
• Weapons of any type (i.e. firearms, tasers, pepper spray, tear gas, explosives, etc.)

All first responder departments are limited to one First Responder Outreach Grant application per calendar year, regardless of the application’s approval or denial. Also, fire departments awarded for turnout gear will be sent Gary Sinise Foundation “Donated By” patches to be added to the coats at no cost to the department.

Additional Resources

Below are additional resources that first responders and their agencies can use to ease their everyday lives and provide greater care to their local communities.

• Survive First, a 501(c)3 organization, is a resource that helps navigate first responders and their families through mental health challenges in public safety and health careers. Their goal is to reduce first responder suicide through mental health and wellness resourcing, peer support that provides a sense of community and awareness amongst first responders and their supporters, and quality education.
• 9/11 Responders Remembered Park honors all of the first responders whose lives were lost on September 11^th, 2001, or due to 9/11-related illnesses. Viewers can also nominate an individual they have lost to the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, as long as they meet the necessary criteria.
• ResponderStrong offers the tools, resources, and programs, to improve mental health support for emergency responders, including healthcare workers, and their families. As emergency responders frequently encounter stressful and disturbing situations involving traumatic injury and/or death, they are in need of minimizing their risks for physical and mental health issues, substance misuse and addiction, suicidality, and strained social relationships.
• K9 Working Dogs International, LLC can provide law enforcement agencies support through their programs related to the purchasing and training of K9s and service dogs. 
• The First Responders Children’s Foundation offers a variety of programs, scholarships, and bereavement assistance to the children and families of first responders who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
• Sons of the Flag offers U.S. first responders, military personnel, and civilians acute burn care and reconstruction. This organization also offers fellowships to surgeons interested in the research, development, and treatment of burns.
• The Firefighters Charitable Foundation offers various support services to fire departments, organizations, and individuals to combat fires and other natural disasters.
• The Spirit of Blue Foundation assists law enforcement to ensure that they are fully prepared to protect their communities. The Foundation can achieve this through partnerships, advocacy, training, education, and fundraising.
• First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides training, resources, and events to ensure the health and wellness of all first responders.
• First H.E.L.P. honors the service of first responders who have passed via suicide. To reduce mental health stigmas, First H.E.L.P. offers education such as Responder Readiness training, acknowledges the service and sacrifices of first responders lost to suicide and cares for the families in the aftermath of a suicide loss.
• The Tunnel to Towers Foundation offers various programs, events, and educative services to honor fallen and injured first responders and veterans.
• Operation First Response offers training, financial aid, and other projects to alleviate the hardships of the families of first responders, active service members, and veterans.
• The National Volunteer Fire Council addresses various programs that assist emergency responders, EMS personnel, firefighters, and fire departments. Topics addressed in these programs include recruitment and retention, fire prevention, fire department capacity, health and safety, amongst others.
• ENBRIDGE’s Safe Community First Responder Program assists U.S. and Canadian fire departments, ambulance services, and other emergency responders in providing suitable training and education programs to keep their small communities safe.
• Radiowell offers in-kind support to U.S. public safety agencies and schools for used radios at no cost to aid communication in emergencies.

In remembrance of September 11^th, it is important to continue rallying behind those who commit their lives to save the lives of others. We appreciate the hard work that first responders do to protect and uplift their communities and want to return the favor.

Further Questions?

If you require assistance regarding these opportunities, finding other grants that fit your organization’s needs, or any additional services, please contact USFCR’s Grant Writing Team at (877) 252-2700 and complete the grant assessment below for further assistance. We look forward to working with you!

Don't miss out on the funding that could elevate your project to the next level!

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SOURCES

 1.  Hartig, Hannah and Doherty, Carroll. “Two Decades Later, the Enduring Legacy of 9/11.” Pew Research Center. September 2, 2021. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/09/02/two-decades-later-the-enduring-legacy-of-9-11/

2.  Carrol, Jason and Sottile, Zoe. “First responder deaths from post-9/11 illnesses nearly equals number of firefighters who died that day.” CNN. September 11, 2023. https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/us/new-york-firefighters-911-illness-death/index.html

3.  Cutler, Nancy. “Deaths from 9/11 diseases will soon outnumber those lost on that fateful day.” USA Today. September 6, 2018.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/09/06/9-11-deaths-aftermath-soon-outnumber-killed-sept-11/1209605002/ 

4.  World Trade Center Health Program. “World Trade Center Health Program: External Quarterly Program Summary.” August 1, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/ataglance.html#enrollmentType