The men and women who rush towards danger; battling fires to keep residents safe, really put it all on the line. Sometimes, the price they pay physically and financially is steep.
That’s why the Southern Arizona Disabled Firefighters Foundation (SADFF) is trying to lighten the load. The group was created more than 14 years ago in honor of a retired Tucson firefighter.
“Captain Mark Paris was a firefighter with Tucson Fire Department who came down with carcinosis,” said Andy Stead, a SADFF Coordinator. “It’s an autoimmune disease and pretty much it’s almost like reverse aids. Marks immune system has begun attacking his body and so it attacks his major organs.”
After 20 years of service, Paris had to hang up his hat.
Sunday evening, the inaugural “First Responder Music Fest” was held at Hotel Congress for Paris and others like him.