New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation

HISTORY

The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation is a 501(c) (3) public charity, non-profit organization our firefighters founded in 1975, dedicated to the advancement of burn care, research, prevention, education, and the proper treatment of burns.

During the Vietnam War, two New York City Firefighters, Joe Hickey and Jack Meara, were deeply moved by a news photograph of two Vietnamese children who had been severely burned by napalm. They wanted to help these youngsters. They thought that with a little help from friends they might be able to bring these children to New York for treatment.

They then discovered, to their surprise, that there were no medical facilities in the New York area devoted exclusively to the treatment of burns.

While hospitals coped with burn victims as well as they could, there were none that specialized in the treatment of severe burn injuries.

Alarmed by their findings, the firefighters decided to do something about the situation. As other firefighters joined in their efforts they began working with physicians and other concerned citizens, and were eventually instrumental in the establishment of the BURN CENTER at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Our goal is to make quality burn care available to all who are seriously burned, regardless of age, race, creed or economic status. This site is designed to inform you of what we do including: upcoming events, fund-raisers, and burn care assistance.

Firefighters and members of the Burn Team have a special empathy for burn victims. No other group witnesses more of the devastation that fire wreaks on the human body.

No compensation has ever been paid to any firefighter associated with the Foundation or with its fund raising activities.

The FDNY Firefighter Michael Kiefer Fund

As a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, FDNY Firefighter Michael Kiefer (L132 Brooklyn NY) lost his life that day as his unit responded to the call. All six men from his company died that day and to date have never been recovered.

Friends of the Kiefer family have established a fund within the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation (NYFBCF) to honor and memorialize Michael. It's called the FDNY Firefighter Michael Kiefer Fund. NYFBCF is a 100% non-profit charitable organization that has been in existence since 1976 and is heartily endorsed by both the New York City Fire Department as well as its primary recipient of donations, the New York Presbyterian-Cornell Medical Hospital, W.R. Hearst Burn Center, located on York Avenue in New York City. The Foundation is fully staffed by both current and former members of the FDNY who are all volunteers, no salaries are drawn from donations.

The Kiefer Family ask that you consider contributing to this worthwhile organization in tribute to Michael's heroic actions on that horrible day. Based on the funds that are raised, the gift donated could range from a $5,000 Dermaton (an operating room tool to split skin for grafts), a $25,000 freezer to preserve skin donations, or possibly a $75,000 fellowship for funding a dedicated medical doctor-resident for one year to treat burn patients at this world-renown Hospital. The gift in Michael's memory will be presented to the Hospital on behalf of your kind generosity.

Please give serious consideration to donating on behalf of Michael, a true hero who gave up his life that day so others could be saved. The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation will acknowledge your tax deductible contribution. We thank you for your donation.

Please send your donations to: The FDNY Firefighter Michael Kiefer Fund c/o The New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation 21 Asch Loop Bronx, N.Y. 10475