Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation Special Release
As we travel through these challenging times, the Foundation is also experiencing angst as the board of directors looks towards future events. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Foundation has had to make the following decisions for the near future:
- Directors and ambassadors of the Foundation will refrain from all public gatherings in the name of the Foundation. This includes, but is not limited to trade shows, public fundraisers, line of duty death funerals and other events where the Foundation would normally attend.
- Travel for Foundation purposes by directors or ambassadors is suspended until further notice.
- The office of the Foundation will not be occupied at the normal hours per week. The Administrative Officer will decide the schedule based on travel restrictions and other Public Health agencies recommendations.
- All LODD applications that were received up to the 31 March 2020 will be processed for the committee’s review and determination. Acknowledgements will be sent but, not within the normal timelines.
- The Foundation voicemail will be checked on a daily basis. Those that need to contact the Foundation are urged to use email to admin@cfff.ca or, any of the addresses located at http://www.cfff.ca/EN/contact.html
- The planning of the annual ceremony to be held in Ottawa on the 13th of September will continue. Meetings of the ceremony committee are limited to two persons only when site visits are required, and Physical Distancing shall be respected. All other business for ceremony requirements shall be carried out by electronic/telecommunication means.
- With thanks to Board Secretary, Dr. Lori Gray and her Frontline Resilience Team, a series of resources intended to support first responders and their families has been developed, and is available at the following link www.frontlineresilience.ca/covid-19-resources/.
At this time, the Foundation hopes that the pandemic restrictions should be lifted by summer and that the ceremony will be held on the Firefighters’ National Memorial Day as planned.
The Executive will closely follow the situation and adjust as required to meet government requirements, and the advice of health care professionals. In the event that the ceremony must be postponed or cancelled due to public health concerns, an announcement will be promulgated no later than 60 days prior to the ceremony.
Our frontline first responders, are at the forefront of the efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus and impact community survivability. You selflessly serve others while contending with concerns for the potential health risk upon yourselves and your families
As a board of first responders, we urge all Canadians to follow the measures set down by their respective governmental bodies and together we can all beat this.