IAFF Disaster Relief

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:

Mailing Address:

YCPFF
ATTN: IAFF Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 1308
Yorktown VA 23692-1308

General Information

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This flag was a variation of the New England Pine Tree flag. It was later modified and adopted by the Massachusetts Navy.

The Sons of Liberty would rally under a large tree, in Boston Massachusetts, which came to be known as "The Liberty Tree". This tree became a symbol of American independence.

"If men through fear, fraud or mistake, should in terms renounce and give up any essential natural right, the eternal law of reason and the great end of society, would absolutely vacate such renunciation; the right to freedom being the gift of God Almighty, it is not in the power of Man to alienate this gift, and voluntarily become a slave. "
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