Firefighters and emergency responders bear witness to some of the most traumatic, scarring moments of human life on a regular basis. Their line of work is also physically demanding, which can lead to serious injuries and the onset of chronic conditions.
About 18 months ago, a trio of first responders associated with South Thurston Fire & EMS decided to do something about what they saw to be a lack of available resources for their compatriots in need. The Northwest Brotherhood Foundation came to fruition in late 2017 and will host its second annual Fireman’s Ball fundraiser on March 30 at Great Wolf Lodge.
“If something happens on the job, you’re covered through work,” said Roger Moore, president of the nonprofit and a South Thurston firefighter based out of Tenino. “If you’re put out of work for an extended period, you’re going to have bills and costs that insurance won’t cover. “I guess you could kind of think of it like we’re AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Company), in that we’ll help pay for the stuff that nobody else will.”