Fired Up - Columbia County Magazine

For 10 years FireK has been fully engulfed in its mission to raise funds for firefighting families that are battling cancer, and the nonprofit organization has no plans to extinguish its efforts.

FireK held its first 5K run in 2014 when a group of local veteran firefighters banded together to support co-workers who had been diagnosed with cancer. This year the annual FireK FiveK fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, October 5. The event features professionally timed USATF-certified 5K and 10K races, firefighter team races and a one-mile fun run for kids. The registration deadline is Saturday, September 28.

Other activities include a kids’ fun zone with bouncy houses, face painting, super heroes, fire safety house, live music with a DJ, a free hot dog lunch, door prizes and an awards ceremony. Fire apparatus also will be on display.

FireK supports the financial needs of firefighting families battling cancer with direct cash disbursements to spend as needed without reservation. In its first 10 years of operation, the nonprofit has provided $40,000 to 40 fire service families in their battle against 13 types of cancer. The organization also connects recipient families, post diagnosis, with resources to increase survivability and wellness.

In addition, FireK provide firefighters with no-cost preemptive cancer testing that meets NFPA specifications and IAFC recommendations. The organization also connects firefighters with resources to mitigate or minimize exposure risks.

Any firefighter or immediate family member that has been diagnosed with cancer may be nominated to receive financial assistance. FireK disperses a minimum of $1,000 to at least three recipients every year. An independent panel of firefighters from local departments determines the order in which nominees are assisted.