The Firefighter48 Foundation is a unique collaboration between firefighters and filmmakers, united by a shared mission to spotlight and tackle the most pressing issues affecting the wellbeing of firefighters.
From occupational cancer to PTSD and mental health, and everything in between, we are committed to driving awareness, advocacy, and change through bold storytelling and relentless communication.
With over 68% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths now attributed to cancer, our first major initiative is a feature-length documentary on occupational cancer, produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Patrick Gramm, creator of "Dying to Save You" (2024). This groundbreaking film serves up the reality that cancer is the #1 killer of firefighters and losing even one firefighter is not ok. This feature film effort is complemented by an ambitious, near-daily storytelling blitz across Firefighter48 social media. Through authentic, emotional, and impactful content, we aim to amplify the voices of firefighters and ignite a global conversation around their health and safety.
Founded in 2024 by veteran firefighters and passionate media professionals who have personally witnessed the devastating impact of occupational health risks, our team brings deep firsthand experience and unwavering commitment to this critical mission.
But our work doesn't stop at awareness. We are relentlessly committed to driving meaningful change at every level:
- Firefighters must take proactive measures to reduce exposure and prioritize regular cancer screenings.
- Private sector companies must expand efforts to innovate safer equipment, materials, and processes.
- Academia must deepen its focus on firefighter-related research.
- Lawmakers must enact stronger protections and provide better support systems for those who risk their lives for our communities.
Our message is simple: Everyone needs to do more.
Together, through powerful storytelling and unwavering advocacy, we aim to make a lasting difference for the heroes who serve us every day.
As we grow, Firefighter48 has become more than just a film project—it’s a movement. We’re building a network and platform to address firefighter issues and bring meaningful change. But we can’t do it alone. We are seeking:
- Team Members: Volunteers to assist with logistics, ideas, and resources.
- Board Members: Leaders with networks capable of helping us fundraise and advance our mission.
You don’t need to be a firefighter to join. If you’re passionate about helping firefighters and believe in what we are trying to do we’d love to hear from you. Let’s work together to make a difference!
Click here to send us an email at info@firefighter48.com