What We Do

Disaster Relief

What We Do

Wildfire & Disaster Relief

At the California Fire Foundation, our purpose is to support the survivors, firefighters, and communities affected by natural disaster, whether that is a large-scale wildfire, a global pandemic, floods, mudslide, earthquake or other disaster. 

Our wide variety of programs support critical needs of those touched by natural disaster, from immediate assistance to long-term recovery and at the core of everything we do is our mission of providing emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect across California. 

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FOR WILDFIRE & NATURAL DISASTER SURVIVORS:  

Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE)

Survivors of fire & other natural disasters often flee their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. In the wake of a devastating disaster the California Fire Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program helps ease the burden and brings immediate relief & recovery to survivors.

The SAVE card is a $250 cash card given to eligible households by firefighters from agencies that participate in the SAVE program. This allows survivors to purchase basic necessities such as food, clothing, gas, medicine, or a place to stay the night in the immediate aftermath of a house fire.

SAVE cards are ONLY distributed though an in-person disaster relief response or through participating agencies:

  • Our participating agencies are fire departments and fire districts throughout the state of California
  • A disaster relief response distribution of SAVE cards will occur when the California Fire Foundation has declared eligible response to a disaster
  • When there is a widespread disaster in California*, the California Fire Foundation will distribute SAVE cards to affected households in person within the impacted community. SAVE cards criteria eligibility must be done in person in times of disaster.
  • SAVE cards can ONLY be given in person during the response.
  • SAVE cards are not eligible for in person pick up in our office.

MID & LONG-TERM WILDFIRE & DISASTER RELIEF: 

Following the unprecedented devastation of the many catastrophic wildfires & disasters, the California Fire Foundation recognizes the need to provide ongoing, mid- and long-term support to the communities affected by disaster through our grant program for the organizations working on the ground in impacted areas. 

By working closely with these organizations to assess ongoing needs and effective funding strategies, the Foundation provides direct and continued line of support to the Californians who are still living with the impacts of devastating wildfires & disasters. Offering support and help long after the cameras have stopped rolling.