FAM Foundation

🇺🇸 25 YEARS. WE REMEMBER. 🇺🇸

September 11, 2001 changed America forever. Tomorrow, on the 25th Anniversary of September 11th, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives taken, the families forever changed, and the heroes who ran toward unimaginable danger while others were running to safety. 🕯️❤️🤍💙

🚒 We remember the firefighters who rushed to the scene knowing people needed them.
🚔 We remember the law enforcement officers who protected, rescued, and served amid chaos.
🚑 We remember the EMS professionals who treated the injured and fought desperately to save lives.
🎖️ We honor the men and women of our United States Military who have sacrificed in defense of our nation, our freedom, and our way of life.

September 11th reminds us that the freedom and safety we experience every day come at a cost. They are protected by brave men and women willing to stand in harm’s way for people they may never even meet.

Twenty-five years later, may we never become too busy to remember. May we never take our freedom for granted. And may we always remain grateful for those who answer the call to serve. 🙏🇺🇸

To every first responder, service member, veteran, and family who carries the weight of service and sacrifice — THANK YOU.

We remember those we lost.
We honor those who served.
We pray for those who still carry the scars.
And we remain grateful to live in the land of the free because of the brave. ❤️

WE WILL NEVER FORGET. 🇺🇸

— Firefighter Arno Memorial Foundation 🚒❤️💙

❤️💙 THANK YOU, BILLS MAFIA! 💙❤️

We are beyond grateful to everyone who came together to help raise money for the FAM Foundation! 🙏🚒

All while doing what Buffalo does best—coming together, supporting our community, celebrating the City of Good Neighbors, and of course… FOOTBALL! 🦬🏈

There truly is no community like Buffalo. Thank you for showing up and supporting our mission! ❤️💙

Thank you Ashleigh Dopp and Mafia Boat Parade!

⚓️🏈 Mafia Boat Parade x FAM Foundation 🏈⚓️

Thank YOU to everyone taking part in The Bills Mafia Boat Parade tomorrow! Your support of our mission means so much to us! Together we can make a difference for our WNY First Responders! 🥹

Thank you ALL who are a part of The Mafia Boat Parade! We are unbelievably grateful for your continued support and partnership! ⚓♥

We just sent out initial communication to the registered boaters.
Pre party Saturday Sept 5 at Buffalo RiverWorks
Parade sets sail on September 6 (sorry for the mix up)

Check your inbox !!

🎉One of our first initiatives under our new program; The Arno Act!

Created in honor of Jason D. Arno to help provide first responders with critical safety training, resources, and education.🔥

"Beyond the Smoke: Understanding Fire Behavior and Survival"
Beyond the Smoke is an intensive two-day training program designed to provide firefighters with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to recognize the warning signs of rapidly changing fire conditions before they become catastrophic. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, students will develop a deeper understanding of fire behavior, smoke dynamics, and the indicators that precede dangerous events such as smoke explosions, backdrafts, and flashovers.

Despite advances in training and equipment, firefighters continue to suffer serious injuries and line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) because the warning signs of deteriorating fire conditions are not always recognized in time. This course is designed to bridge that gap by teaching firefighters how to identify these critical indicators, understand the science behind them, and apply that knowledge to make safer tactical decisions on the fireground.

A cornerstone of the program is live fire observation inside the Draeger Fire Behavior Training Building, where students will safely witness a fire's progression from the incipient stage through flashover. This unique learning experience allows participants to observe fire growth in a controlled environment while instructors explain the changing conditions, smoke behavior, heat development, and visual cues that signal impending extreme fire behavior.

The classroom portion of the course provides an in-depth look at the science of fire dynamics, thermal layering, ventilation effects, smoke movement, and fire growth, helping students understand not only what they are seeing but why it occurs.

In addition to fire behavior training, students will rotate through hands-on skill stations that reinforce essential firefighting techniques, including:
• Forcible Entry
• Vent, Enter, Isolate, and Search (VEIS)
• Victim removal and firefighter rescue techniques

At the Erie County Fire Safety Division, we recognize the importance of providing firefighters with realistic, science-based training that prepares them to recognize hazards before they become life-threatening. Our goal is to equip firefighters with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to make informed decisions on the fireground, ultimately reducing the risk of injuries and line-of-duty deaths throughout our fire service.

Beyond the Smoke is more than a fire behavior class—it is an investment in firefighter survival.

TO SIGN UP 🔗https://www3.erie.gov/fire/training-schedule

⚾️ Take me out to the ball game! ⚾️

Thank YOU Buffalo Bisons🦬 and Hyundai Motor Group for once again taking care of our first responders! This upcoming Sunday is First Responders Night at Sahlen Field! 📆 September 6th ⏰ 1:00pm

👉🏼 ALL first responders get 4 FREE tickets to the game! All you have to do is go to the box office, show your ID and you are all set. HOW INCREDIBLE! 👏🏼🥹

For more information 🔗
https://www.mlb.com/milb/buffalo/news/first-responders-day-buffalo-bisons-september-6-free-ticket-offer

🚔☕️ Kindness goes a LONG way ☕️🚔

Tuesday August 25th the un-imaginable happened to a family in Orchard Park when a loved one went missing.. A second person in Orchard Park to go missing in one week. 😞

The community came together and started searching for the gentleman. This morning, we received a call that Tim Hortons wanted to donate to the first responders and volunteers! 🥹 We were honored to pick up and deliver to the search and recovery team — 🙏🏼

While delivering, we got the news the gentleman was FOUND. 🙌🏼

With the power of kind hearts, and our first responders, anything is possible! Thank you for all that you do!

Happy Birthday to Our WHY. ❤️‍🔥

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Jay. 🪽

Three years… Three years since you left us, and somehow, your presence is still felt in everything we do. In these last three years, our organization has grown beyond anything we could have ever imagined. We have surpassed goals that once felt impossible, touched countless lives, supported first responders and their families, and created ripples throughout the first responder community that continue to grow.

✨And deep in our hearts, we know you are the reason why.
✨You are the reminder to keep going, keep giving, keep serving, and keep making a difference.
✨You are our guiding light.

We hope you can see what has been built from the love, loss, and purpose you left behind. We hope we’ve made you proud. Continue watching over your family, your friends, and all of us who carry you with us every single day. Keep guiding us when the road gets difficult, and keep reminding us why this mission matters so deeply. 🫶🏼

You are loved beyond words.
You are missed beyond measure.
And you will never, ever be forgotten.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Jay. 🎂❤️
We love you. Always.

A somber morning standing beside Board Member Chelsea’s family, the Croom family and The Buffalo Fire Department, as we remember two brave Buffalo firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice 17 years ago today. Their courage, service, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🖤🚒

Lt. Charles “Chip” McCarthy & Firefighter Jonathan Croom — Forever remembered.

❤️ We will take it from here