1. a newsletter for the members of
the Alliance for Fire Safety,
part of the Professional Fire Fighters of
Wisconsin Charitable Foundation
Winter 2016
The Alliance for Fire Safety
Summer Burn Camp photos and coverage: 5-8
2. This has been quite the year. When the Profes-
sional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable
Foundation (PFFWCF) took on the responsibility
of running the fire safety and burn survivor sup-
port programs that began under the Wisconsin
Alliance for Fire Safety (WAFS), we knew that
there were going to be mixed emotions. We have
been pleased to find that after over 20 years of
diverse support for the WAFS programming,
we have been able to maintain that support and
even make moves to expand it. Having made it to
the end of our first calendar year of Alliance for
Fire Safety operation under the PFFWCF, there
have undeniably been challenges in this transi-
tion along the way. However, with a hybrid team
of former WAFS board members, the PFFW
executive board, and a few fresh faces, we have
welcomed these challenges and have been able to
overcome them.
When this all began in January 2015, we made a
promise to our supporters, program participants,
and their families, that we were going to carry
on our programs as the WAFS had for over two
decades. When plans were being made for this
transition, we also decided to keep the WAFS
programs under the title of the Alliance for Fire
Safety, to help show that everyone that helped
along the way in making WAFS what it is, is still
welcome to be a part of what the PFFWCF is
today. We faced a lot of work in the preliminary
months of our transition but that work was placed
in some very eager and capable hands. Charitable
Foundation Liaison Mike DeGarmo, Co-Executive
Directors Bill Klar and Terre Kent, and Program
Director Jenna Jordan have worked closely with
the Charitable Foundation board of directors and
volunteer committees all year. This team has gone
above and beyond in carrying out our safety and
support missions.
Since January, we have hosted the Winter
Leadership Program for young adults ages 17-25,
sponsored participants to
attend the Wise Foundation
Young Adult Burn Survi-
vor Conference, and had
Lon Haldeman lead our
Cross-Wisconsin Bike
Tour Challenge Program ending at the Burn
Camp Family Picnic. We also ran our flagship
program, the Summer Camp for Burn Injured
Youth, launched the 2015 Fire Safety Edition of
Newspapers in Education with the Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, hosted the Fall Fire Safety
Recognition Luncheon honoring those that have
helped us to carry out our fire safety mission,
and sent 19 participants to The Phoenix Society’s
World Burn Congress in Indianapolis.
I found the height of my pride in our founda-
tion this past year in seeing the annual parade of
fire apparatus at the 2015 Visitor’s Day event at
the Burn Camp. The kids and most of the guests
only see a long line of fire trucks that they get to
ride in, but I see a portrait of unity as career and
volunteer firefighters work together to create a
memorable experience for these young survivors;
it serves as a reminder that we all share a com-
mon goal each day.
Lastly, I must offer my sincerest thanks to the
fine people that are helping us to keep the prom-
ise that we made a year ago and I am not just
talking about our employees or board members.
I am referring to the loyal supporters that trusted
us to pick up where the WAFS left off. We cannot
do this alone, and we greatly appreciate your as-
sistance and your support, whether it be mon-
etary or in the form of volunteer work. Looking
back on all of these accomplishments from 2015,
I am eager to see what our team will achieve in
2016.
Mahlon Mitchell
PFFWCF Chairman
PFFWCF Chairman’s Year in Review
Mahlon Mitchell,
PFFWCF Chairman
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I can hardly believe it has been a full year since the PFFW Charitable Foundation took on the
Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety’s fire prevention and burn survivor support programs. If you
had asked me at this time last year, I could never have predicted the outpouring of support we
have experienced for the work that we have done. However, there were a couple of people that
exhibited unwavering confidence in the plan: current PFFWCF Chairman Mahlon Mitchell
and former WAFS Chairman Dan Gengler were our leaders in carrying this out. By the end of
numerous discussions, the decision was made with the promise that the new Alliance for Fire
Safety under the PFFWCF would emulate all of the values of the predecessor it was built on.
Since then, we have all worked hard to maintain the high standards of the AFS programs, and we have been thrilled
to see them all successfully carried out. As a team, we all came together under this new organization with different
strengths, and it has been a pleasure to discover how well these strengths complement each other. PFFWCF Chair-
man Mahlon Mitchell continually seems to have his fingers on the pulse of charitable foundation affairs, no mat-
ter where he is, and he is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that we have what we need to function
exceptionally. Co-Executive Directors Terre Kent and Bill Klar have a real drive to make sure that our programs not
only have enough funding throughout the year, but that we always seek to expand our resources and try new things
– like the Black Tie Gala we held in October! It has been a wonderful experience to fall back on the expertise of all
three of them as we all find our way with these new responsibilities.
The highlight of my year was seeing our flagship program, The Summer Camp for Burn In-
jured Youth, take form as I took a leading role in planning it for the first time. It was no small
task, but I cannot thank our dedicated group of volunteers, especially on our Steering Com-
mittee, for offering their help every step along the way. As this was the first year the PFFWCF
ran the program, we were pleased to hear from campers, their parents, volunteers, and other
visitors that the transition from WAFS to PFFWCF was virtually unnoticeable. “Camp still felt
like camp,” said Madison firefighter and Burn Camp Co-Director, Jon Braun, “and there’s no
reason to suggest that it won’t keep feeling like the special place that it is for years to come.” In
fact, we hope to continue to improve this program and our others.
Looking ahead, 2016 looks like it’s going to be another great year for us and we only hope to
be able to do more! Thank you to everyone that has contributed to our programs and to our
growth as an organization!
Jenna Jordan, Program Director, PFFWCF Alliance for Fire Safety
Program Director’s Report
Jenna Jordan
Program Director
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We hosted our fourth annual Cross-Wisconsin Bike Tour this past June
22-27. Burn survivors ages 14 and up were invited to participate in this
nearly 200 mile bike ride led by Lon Haldeman and his professional
crew. Haldeman is a world-renowned cyclist and puts a great deal of
work into putting on this event for our survivors each year. He also
contributes a great deal to the ride: he takes on a portion of the cost for
the ride, as well as seeks support from others that follow his newsletter,
donates supplies, and perhaps most valuably, he and his crew donate
their time to the program.
This time around, we had a mix of new and returning riders. The ride
began in La Crosse and wound through Sparta, Mauston, Baraboo, and
Lodi, before ending at the Burn Camp Family Picnic held at Marshall
Park in Middleton on Saturday, June 27. In addition to the physical and
mental challenge of the ride, our participants got to experience historic
bike trails and visit the Circus World Museum and the International
Crane Foundation.
Cross-WI Bike Tour and Burn Camp Family Picnic
Perhaps the most memorable part of this ride is the survivor bonding experience that is facilitated by the trip.
The group has to be kept small and selective so that everyone is able to safely complete the ride. They get an
opportunity to get to know each other and the crew facilitating the ride on a very personal level. They chal-
lenge each other and grow together, becoming supportive friends throughout the week.
Our riders enjoyed the opportunity to share their sense of accomplishment (and medals!) with family mem-
bers, peers, and counselors upon finishing the difficult ride at the Burn Camp Family Picnic. It was really
wonderful to see their exhausted but smiling faces as they reached their final stop, greeted by about 100
people that all wanted to hear about their trip! What better way to end such a challenging program than to
be greeted by people that support your journey on the bike and in life? Additionally, other Burn Camp camp-
ers, alumni, and staff, along with their families, are able to gather for a nice reunion to catch up before camp
starts again in August.
The PFFWCF owes a great deal of gratitude
for the success of the picnic. The cost of
the picnic’s site was covered by the per-
sonal donation of a friend to the founda-
tion that has asked to remain anonymous.
All of the food was donated and prepared
by Madison Local 311 Firefighters and
their friends, and a giant cake was donated
by Hubbard Avenue Diner in Middleton.
Decorations and supplies were offered
to us at a discounted rate by Party City of
Middleton. Lastly, Burn Camp staff and
steering committee members helped to
plan and set up the event. Thank you all!
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Summer Burn Camp by Jenna Jordan
Youth campers had “magical” activities prepared for
them by volunteers from Children’s Hospital of Wis-
consin as well as Columbia-St. Mary’s Hospital. For-
mer camper and burn survivor, Jessica Graf, donated
her time and materials for a ceramics activity and
the ever-popular “Bubble Dude” made a return for a
presentation. Teens enjoyed mountain biking, a high
ropes course, paint balling, water games, and a rock
climbing trip to Devil’s Lake. Our teens also received
a presentation by fellow burn survivor Jared Estes of
Andover, Kansas. He shared the powerful story of his
injuries and how he was able to triumph to feel more
like a survivor of his circumstances rather than a vic-
tim. Despite all of the tragedy and loss that accompa-
nied his accident, Jared was able to find his purpose in
the people around him and now gives back to the burn
community whenever possible.
Most meals were once again provided by volunteer
and career fire departments across the state, many of
whom joined us for activities throughout the week.
Campers and staff wish to thank fire fighters and vol-
unteers from Wauwatosa, West Allis, Sable Flames and
Madison Local 311 Charities, Tess Corners, Oshkosh,
Baraboo, North Prairie Auxiliary, Oak Creek, East
Troy, and Robb Bosanko and the PFFW for donating
and cooking meals. Oshkosh Firefighter and PFFWCF
board member Mike Wos told us, “We came out to
serve a meal to the campers this year and had so much
fun we didn’t want to leave. The generosity of everyone
involved is always overwhelming and leaves us wanting
to do more.”
The last full day of camp is always an exciting one with
the dinner and dance party at East Troy Fire Depart-
ment to look forward to. This year, cosmetology stu-
dent volunteers from Waukesha County Technical
College shared their hair, makeup, and manicure skills
with our campers to prepare them for the celebration!
After the festivities – despite a little bit of a storm –
we had our usual Bartolotta fireworks and closing cer-
emony to celebrate our graduating campers and staff
milestones. Bittersweet tears were shed for the close of
another great year. We had several campers that aged
out of the Burn Camp Program, but we can’t wait to see
them all at our young adult-oriented Winter Leader-
ship Program this February!
This year’s Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth,
themed “Where the Magic Happens,” took place Au-
gust 9-15. We welcomed four new campers, as well as
a three-year-old “Burn Camp Explorer” to our camp
family, or should I say FR-AMILY? One of our camp-
ers came up with a new term for the group of campers
and volunteers at Burn Camp; youth camper, Emma,
told staff that the relationships built at camp were true
friendships that felt more like family so we needed our
own word for this little community. “Framily was a
term that just happened to stick throughout the week;
it just seemed to fit,” said teen girl coordinator, Melissa
Kersten.
The week actually began on Saturday, August 8, with
the staff training and orientation. We added a number
of changes in order to better prepare our volunteers
to handle difficult campers and learn how to address
burn survivor specific issues. Lots of general informa-
tion was offered by camp co-directors, Jon Braun and
Courtney Carlson. We also welcomed staff from Camp
Timber-Lee to help show our volunteers some games
to share with campers to fill downtime. PFFW board
member Luke Kotschi gave a social media talk from
the perspective of a mandatory reporter. Camp nurses
spoke on the importance of hydration and skin pro-
tection for campers throughout the week. Lastly, our
child-life specialist, Elaina Meier, offered a presenta-
tion on working with children that have suffered differ-
ent kinds of trauma. With our volunteer staff properly
trained and comfortable, we were ready for the kids to
arrive!
Upon the campers’ arrival, our staff checked them all
in and got them comfortable in their cabins – their
homes for the week! Campers enjoyed a wonderful mix
of new and traditional activities for a truly fun-filled
week. Some of our all-camp activities included a “color
run” obstacle course organized by volunteers from AS-
CENT gym in Milwaukee, a firefighter challenge run by
Greenfield Fire Department, and a “Soccer-Knocker”
human soccer ball game – which looked like so much
fun our very own PFFW President Mahlon Mitch-
ell and Secretary/Treasurer Steve Wilding joined the
campers during a visit! We had our Harley riders come
out again, but this year we were able to greet them with
a delicious corn roast provided by Charitable Founda-
tion co-executive directors Bill Klar and Terre Kent.
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AllianceforFireSafety
“Where the magic happens” – that is how we describe Burn Camp. Watching one
of our teen boys pass their swim test for the first time, the young camper who is
terrified of heights but steps off the zip line platform with tears of joy, fear, and
accomplishment streaming down her face, the bonds that are formed by veteran
campers who have been attending camp for nearly a decade, and first year camp-
ers who are just learning to live with their burn injuries. That is the magic. It
transforms you; it fills you with gratitude, happiness and hope. It is a magic that
we experience as a Burn Camp family – or framily, as some of our campers call it!
If you have ever been to Burn Camp, you have definitely experienced “the magic.”
This year’s camp had many activities, including a trip to Devil’s Lake for the older
teen group, where they learned to rock climb and belay each other using commu-
nication and teamwork. The campers loved the activity “Soccer Knocker” where
they wore large inflatable bubbles and ran around bouncing off of one another – a
real hit! This year also marked the first year of our annual fishing tournament
sponsored by Cabela’s, with the largest fish being an 18” Northern Pike. To end
the week, some campers had their hair, nails and makeup done by WCTC cosme-
tology students for our Friday evening dance at the East Troy Firehouse.
Where the Magic Happens
by Courtney Carlson
We were blessed to have Jared Estes join us for part of the week to provide a teen motivational talk and to en-
courage them to “fire back” when life seems to get tough. He shared strategies on how to live as a survivor instead
of a victim, and there is nothing about our young campers that would make you think of them as victims. They
are surviving, and they remind the rest of us to live as survivors as well. They keep our priorities in check, remind
us to live life to the fullest, and to have a gracious attitude.
This is the magic that has brought me back year after year. I started with the camp in 2002 and have served in
any role that was asked of me because it was all about the kids. Any way that I could be a part of that magic, I was
all in. After 14 years of volunteering for the camp, and 5 years in a director’s position, it is time to pass the torch
and bring in some new ideas. Jon Braun, a Madison Firefighter, did an amazing job as co-director for this year’s
camp, and I know the camp, kids, and staff will be in great hands under his leadership. He will be joined by Me-
lissa Kersten, a Nurse Practitioner in the St. Mary’s Burn Unit and a longtime volunteer for the Burn Camp. I still
plan to be a part of camp, but in a different capacity.
In our 2015 Burn Camp debrief, our steering committee reminisced about all of our great memories from this
year, but the work never ceases. We have some big goals for 2016, and we need your help. Over the years, we have
seen a decline in our camper numbers. While we would like to think it is because children are not suffering burn
injuries, we know that is not the case. We are having a hard time reaching those children that do suffer injuries
because of HIPAA, treatment at out-patient clinics, and a variety of other
factors. We need your help to get the word out about Burn Camp – this
place where magic happens. Help us spread the word by directing young
burn survivors and their families to our website at www.pffwcf.org or our
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AFSBurnCamp. We have set a stretch
goal of 20 new campers for 2016. We also are introducing a Young Adult
Leadership Program during the week of Burn Camp as an opportunity for
18-20 year old burn survivors to grow and develop into successful young
adults, to face the challenges of college, career and life, and to assist previ-
ous campers in their transition to a potential role as future camp staff. Stay
tuned for more information on these exciting initiatives!
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IAFF International Burn Camp
Once again, we sent one of our Burn Camp campers along with a counselor to the In-
ternational Association of Fire Fighters Burn Camp in Washington, D.C. The free special
camp experience is offered to 13-15-year-old Burn Camp campers from around the
United States and Canada. Our camp staff votes on the eligible teens at the end of each
Wisconsin Burn Camp, and we could not have been more excited by their choice for
2015. Last September, we were pleased to send a 14-year-old camper named Jerrion. It
was impossible for camp staff and even visitors to overlook the physical and emotional
growth that Jerrion has displayed throughout his years of camp. Along with him, we
sent West Allis career firefighter and Burn Camp Youth Boy Coordinator Jesse Schwark.
Jesse has been a valuable asset to the camp since his first year as staff in 2007. These
two young men shared their thoughts.
This was a once in a lifetime experience, one that has
created lasting memories that I will never forget. The
camp runs from Sat.-Sat. in Sept. in a similar format
to our camp. I would soon find that though similari-
ties existed, this would be an entirely unique event.
We were greeted by IAFF Burn Camp staff members
at the BWI airport and began congregating with
campers and staff from camps across the continent.
Many of us met at the BWI Fire Dept. for a quick
lunch as we awaited the arrival of the remaining
campers. Despite coming from locations hundreds,
if not thousands of miles apart, everyone quickly fell
into conversations, sharing experiences and laughing
like old friends. Within a day, it felt as though we had
all been attending the same camp for years.
After lunch, we loaded onto buses and began the
journey to Camp Wabanna, our home for the next
week. We gathered what we needed for the week and
went to our dorm rooms to settle in. We spent the
evening playing “icebreaker” activities before bed.
Our first full day of camp began with breakfast in the
dining hall. After breakfast and further orientation,
we all piled back onto the bus and headed to down-
town D.C. for a baseball game at Nationals Park. A
lazy afternoon spent at the ballgame was a perfect
way to continue conversations and get to know ev-
eryone while enjoying America’s pastime.
The remainder of the week was a blur of events, each
IAFF Burn Camp Staff Experience
By: Jesse Schwark
IAFF Burn Camp Camper Experience
By: Jerrion Washington
The trip was a lot of fun. It was my first time flying, so I was a little nervous, but
mostly excited. I never thought I would get a chance to see all of the places I did.
I had a great time with Jesse, and the IAFF staff was cool. The FOOD we ate was
awesome! I really liked all of the soldier stuff, like the monuments and the cem-
etery. Another really cool thing was the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue. The best
thing was standing in front of the White House. I’d like to visit again someday.
more impressive then the last. We toured the monu-
ments at the National Mall, including a ride to the top
of the Washington Monument, which recently reopened,
played exciting camp games in the evenings, ate at fun
restaurants, visited various Smithsonian museums,
were served an outstanding barbecue lunch at a D.C.
firehouse, and toured the U.S. Naval Academy in An-
napolis. Perhaps one of the most humbling experiences
of the entire trip was our time spent at Arlington Na-
tional Cemetery. Our entire camp was able to witness
the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier and a few campers were allowed to participate
in a wreath laying ceremony alongside Sentinels of the
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment who guard the tomb. This
was an incredibly moving event and an unbelievable
honor for individuals involved in the ceremony.
The orchestration performed by the IAFF camp staff
was nothing shy of amazing. Within a day, they took
90 strangers from all corners of the continent, put us
together, made everyone feel right at home, and then
carted us all over the D.C. area to monuments, attrac-
tions, and events, while responding to last-minute
changes in the weather and unexpected problems with
exceptional professionalism and consideration.
It is impossible to truly capture the events that occurred
over the week in a few short paragraphs. The experi-
ence that the IAFF International Burn Camp offers its
campers is truly once in a lifetime; it was an honor to
be able to attend.
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For the first time ever, the PFFWCF held
a Black Tie Gala in October to raise funds
for our programs and other causes.
Our theme was“Smoke on the Water,”
which was appropriate for the setting;
we hosted the event at the Sail Loft on
the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee. Live
music entertainment was provided by
The Three Little Pigs featuring Gabriel
Sanchez, and our MC for the evening
was Emmy Award-winning news anchor,
Vince Vitrano of Today’s TMJ4. Guests en-
joyed delicious appetizers and an open
bar while perusing silent auction items,
chatting with foundation friends, and
getting to know other supporters.
We must offer special gratitude to our
Platinum Sponsors for the event – Hawks
Quindel, The Geiger Foundation, and
Suburban Motors Harley Davidson.
Co-Executive Directors, Terre Kent and
Bill Klar, worked tirelessly with a team of
volunteers to put the event together and
have already begun plans to DOUBLE our
attendance for this year! The theme for
2016’s event will be“Fire in the Sky,”and
held on October 15. Keep up with event
news on Facebook, and we hope to see
you there!
“Smoke on the Water”Black Tie Gala
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Fall Fire Safety Recognition Luncheon
Each year during Fire Prevention Week, following the
release of our Fire Safety Edition of Newspapers in
Education, we host a Fall Fire Safety Recognition Lun-
cheon. This past year, we hosted the luncheon at the
Oak Creek Community Center on Tuesday, October 6.
The event is meant to recognize and honor individuals
and organizations that have assisted their communi-
ties in the promotion of fire safety.
In 2015, we opened our award ceremony with Oak
Creek’s Honor Guard and the National Anthem, sung
by Marshall Gradinjan, a close friend to the Alliance
for Fire Safety. One of the highlights of the program
was guest speaker, Bobby Henline, a veteran of the
war in Iraq and the lone survivor after his Humvee
burst into flames having been hit by a roadside bomb
in 2007. Bobby suffered burns over nearly 40% of his
body, as well as PTSD. After spending two weeks in a
coma, Bobby needed to undergo a number of recon-
structive and cosmetic surgeries, including the am-
putation of his left hand. His physical and emotional
recovery are still an ongoing battle, but he uses his
positivity and his incredible sense of humor to share
his story and help others to see the good in the world.
He came all the way from San Antonio, Texas, to share
his trials and triumphs with our group.
Fire Safety Awardees included Jim Kismet and retired
Racine Lieutenant Dennis Felton for PFFWCF Sup-
port. Both gentlemen have a long history of support
for the Burn Camp: Kismet offering the use of his gi-
ant American flag on Visitor’s Day at Camp each year
and Felton hosting an annual golf outing to support
the program. The Oshkosh Fire Department was of-
fered the Larry Ceret-
to Fire Safety Award
in recognition of their
efforts to share their
knowledge of fire safety
with their community.
Corporate Respon-
sibility Awards were
presented to the Favre
4 Hope Foundation and
the Federal Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA) in recognition
of the generous dona-
tions they offered to the PFFWCF this past year. 72nd
District State Assembly Representative Scott Krug was
determined our Legislator of the Year for author-
ing and maintaining commitment to Assembly Bill 36,
regulating the placement and sale of novelty lighters
(lighters that resemble toys). The Joe Vorce Career
Fire Safety Award was earned by retired Assistant
West Allis Fire Chief Marty King after years of com-
mitment and countless awards for various achieve-
ments and service. Marty has an extensive commit-
ment to the cause of fire safety not only in West Allis
and the state of Wisconsin, but beyond.
We also honor Burn Camp volunteers for their mile-
stones and exceptional service. This year’s Ten
Year Milestone Award was offered to Joe Tre-
week, a highly dedicated individual with a heart of
gold. Camp Volunteers of the Year were Robbie
Aschenbrener and Heather Moore, both of whom rose
to meet critical challenges in their volunteer roles in
2015. Lastly, two very dedicated “retirees” were grant-
ed Special Camp Recognition Awards, Camp
Director Courtney Carlson and Burn Camp Steering
Committee Member Mary Janowiak. Both ladies have
offered over a decade of service to the Burn Camp
and look forward to continued involvement with the
organization in less formal roles whether as a camp
counselor or a visitor!
The 2016 Fall Fire Safety Recognition Lun-
cheon will take place on October 11, and
we are excited to announce that we will no
longer be charging admission to attend!
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Thank you so very much for your contributions funding my
recent trip to the 2015 World Burn Congress. Your gener-
osity has NOT gone unnoticed. Attending the 2015 World
Burn Congress has been the absolute highlight of my year.
I was burned in September of 2014; the fire caused deep,
second degree burns on thirty percent of my body. I lost
confidence in myself because of my scars, and I never felt
like I quite fit into society or could connect with people
anymore. I was very wrong. The difference this experience
made in my life is quite substantial. I never imagined such
an incredible community—or rather, family—of such open,
compassionate and accepting individuals. By the end of the
week, I had not only learned a lot about myself and how to
better accept my scars, but of new burn care techniques
and products that are currently benefitting me to this day.
Fire safety has become a big thing in my family, and I was
able to bring home a ton of new knowledge to share with
them. The variety of existing organizations to get involved
with through the burn community is almost shocking. In ad-
dition, I made numerous lifelong friendships and was able
to bond with so many burn survivors and those surround-
ing them. The bravery I witnessed that week has truly been
an inspiration. I feel so lucky to have had this experience.
Thanks to this experience, having been burned is no longer
a burden, but a bittersweet blessing. Even these words
cannot describe the depths of my gratitude; thank you for
changing my life.- Sam
World Burn Congress
This past October, we, along with Columbia-St. Mary’s Burn Center, were able to sponsor quite
a group of burn survivors and supporters to attend the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress.
This most recent conference was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and, with the help of our gener-
ous donors, we were able to send 19 attendees. It is nearly impossible to describe the impact
that this event makes on the lives of those that attend, unless one is able to see it personally.
That being said, we received several responses from our first-time attendees that wanted to try
their hand at explaining the powerful emotions that went along with their attendance.
My experience at my first World Burn
Congress was one I will never
forget. I was burned about 3 years
ago and have attended Burn Camp
twice before turning 18. World Burn
Congress was even better than
camp! I was surrounded by almost
1,000 survivors!
While I was there, I attended
sessions that helped me heal as an
individual. I learned how to take my
attitude of being burned from being
a victim to being a survivor. I'll never
forget the feeling when I was
introduced to the first survivor I
bonded with in Indiana! Months later,
we still text every day!
- Hope
13. this organization generously provides.
I am a more reserved and quietindividual, and I am so thankful that I
had a chance to sit in on these sessions.
Additionally, I was amazed at how
much WBC provided healing to family
members, as well. I would highlyrecommend any burn injury survivor
and their family attend this event in the
future.
I want to give a shout out to the hard
work that Melissa Kersten and Jenna
Jordan put into organizing this trip. I
am very appreciative that they offered
me the opportunity to attend, and I am
already looking forward to next year!
- Tony
I am a burn survivor and have been in-
volved with the Alliance for Fire Safety for
8 years. I have served in multiple roles at
the Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth
over that time. This past summer, I was
presented with an opportunity to attend
the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress
(WBC). I quickly accepted. Fast forward to
October, and I was off to Indianapolis along
with a group of burn injury survivors from
Wisconsin.
A typical day at this event includes: a key-
note speaker, open mic (chance to tell your
story), breakout sessions addressing a
variety of topics, and small group
discussions. The keynote speakers all did an
awesome job, but the activities that I valued
the most were the breakout sessions and
the small group discussions. These sessions
allowed me to connect with fellow burn sur-
vivors. Heart-wrenching stories were told
and advice was given that made me
realize the amazing support network that
14. 14
Winter 2016
AllianceforFireSafety
In each upcoming edition of this newsletter, we will be
featuring a burn survivor that has stood out in to us at
some of our programming. They may have been honored
somehow, accomplished a lofty goal, or been offered a spe-
cial opportunity via the Burn Survivor Support programs
the PFFWCF has to offer.
In this edition, our “survivor spotlight” is being turned
on former camper Amanda Amon. In March of 2015, the
PFFWCF sponsored Amanda, along with a group of other
survivors and PFFWCF “Community Leaders,” to attend
the Wise Foundation Young Adult Burn Survivor Confer-
ence. Her participation in that program opened the doors
to another opportunity. The Wise Foundation offered an
application and essay contest for young adults to attend
a conference in Canada with Dustin Wise (burn survivor
and founder of The Wise Foundation). After a rigorous
selection process, Amanda was chosen as a participant!
One of the prerequisites to maintain her place in this trip
was doing some of her own fundraising. She worked hard
for months, putting together a “Go Fund Me” account and
writing grant requests to pay for her trip. When the date
of her trip was moved up by a month, the PFFWCF helped
her acquire the last bit of money she needed. Here is what
Amanda had to say about her experience:
Survivor Spotlight: Amanda Amon
October 15-18, 2015:
I was able to travel to Winnipeg, Canada, through the Wise Foundation with Dustin Wise, Brit-
tany Balke, Anthony Harrison and Jonathon Jenkins. Thursday, when we arrived, we spent the
evening exploring Polo Park. Polo Park is a shopping center with restaurants and shops where we
did a little souvenir shopping. On Friday, Brittany, Anthony, Jonathon and I had the opportunity
to go sightseeing near downtown Winnipeg in a district called “The Forks.” The Forks consists of
a market with local vendors and shops. There is also an outdoor terrace on the roof of the mar-
ket where you can look over Winnipeg. After touring the market and eating lunch at a local hot
spot, Fergie’s Fish ‘n Chips, we walked around downtown Winnipeg and took lots of touristy pic-
tures. After sightseeing, we all headed back to the hotel for the Canadian Burn Survivor Confer-
ence with Mamingwey Burn-Survivor Society. The opening day of the conference consisted of the
keynote speaker, Dustin Wise, and some members of Mamingwey Burn-Survivor Society speaking
about the meaning of Mamingwey and an activity to get to know other survivors attending the
conference. The last day of our trip and the second day of the conference included more speak-
ers from Mamingwey, a panel of survivors and family members of survivors, sharing circles, and
an activity accompanied by a speech with Dustin Wise. At the end of the day, there was also a
banquet for all the participants in the conference.
Traveling to Canada with the Wise Foundation was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I will never
forget. Not only did I get to experience my first time traveling abroad, but I also got to build bet-
ter relationships with other burn survivors. Getting to spend one-on-one time with other survi-
vors meant the world to me, because it is a bond that no one can possibly understand unless you
have endured getting burned. I also learned a lot about the different stages, phases, and ways
people cope with their burns. Meeting people at different ages and times post burn incident really
opened my eyes to how differently people are affected and react to their burns. I am so grate-
ful I had this opportunity to learn more about other survivors, the burn community, myself, and
make memories that will last a lifetime.
15. 15
Winter 2016
AllianceforFireSafety
There are a number of individuals, groups, and organizations that have been huge sup-
porters of the Alliance for Fire Safety for many years and have stuck with us through our
transition joining the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. We
would like to take a moment to recognize some of the long-standing, as well as some of our
new supporters, as we start off a new year. We have a great deal of appreciation for those
that offered event sponsorships and fulfilled grant requests throughout the year.
The following made special fundraising efforts on our behalf:
Those are just a handful of the people we need to thank.
To all of those mentioned above and to the countless others that worked hard
(in some cases for the entire year) to help our organization carry out its mission,
we thank you. We could not do this without all of your dedication!
Thank you for your continued support!
• The Bosanko Brothers for Charity once again hosted their annual Packer Party to
benefit our programming.
• Milwaukee – Local 215 Firefighters also continued their Burn Camp Packer Party
tradition and even managed to sell out their event this year. Congratulations! They also
host the MFD Campout.
• Scott Van Roo took on an independent project creating and selling Burn Camp T-
shirts in order to offer us a donation this year. He also donated many hours of his time
promoting the camp, helping us put together our Black Tie Gala, and assisting with the
Milwaukee – Local 215 Packer Party benefiting Burn Camp.
• Fire & Iron Motor Cycle Clubs – Stations 17, 131, and 141 – organized their motor-
cycle rides and worked closely with the Kohl’s Associates in Action program to bring in
money for the Burn Camp.
• Madison – Local 311 Firefighters held their inaugural Packer Party Benefit for
Burn Camp at the Coliseum Bar with an impressive showing of support on opening
deer hunting weekend!
• The Mariner’s Club of Wisconsin hosted a golf outing to support the Burn Camp.
• The Burn Center Golf Invitational had another successful year raising funds for
our young adult burn survivor programs, NIE, and Columbia-St. Mary’s Regional Burn
Center.
• Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Lakeland Counties’ golf outing once
again supported the PFFWCF as well as the UW Burn Center Advancement Fund.
• Sean Jordan of Regis Catholic School in Eau Claire, planned and carried out a con-
cert entitled “Rock, Drop, and Roll” with other performers to help raise money for fire
safety education.
• Shorewest Realtors nominated the PFFWCF to receive their “Casual Friday” pro-
ceeds.
• West Allis Firefighters held a pancake breakfast to support Burn Camp.
• Neenah-Menasha Firefighters once again ran the Backdraft Bike Tour to benefit
Burn Camp.
• Firefighters 4 Charity in New Berlin had multiple benefits, including a bowling
tournament and a unique “triathlon” of trap shooting, golf, and baggo.
• South Shore Fire Department held their 1st Annual Hero’s Chili Cook Off, benefit-
ting Burn Camp.
16. NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
P A I D
MILWAUKEE,WI
PERMIT NO. 4048
Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation
Alliance for Fire Safety
321 E. Main Street, Suite 200
Madison, WI 53703
1-800-315-0911
Winter Leadership Program February 5-7
2nd Annual Hero’s Chili Cook-Off at Roma Lodge February 20
Engine House 19 & Lakefront Brewery’s Chili Cook-Off March 13
Fire & Iron 17 Motorcycle Ride for Burn Camp in Oconomowoc July 9
Fire & Iron 131 Motorcycle Ride for Burn Camp in Sparta July 16
Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling Madison Golf Outing July 25
Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth August 14-20
Burn Camp Visitor’s Day August 18
Fire & Iron 141 Motorcycle“Ride to Remember”in Green Bay September 10
Fall Fire Safety Recognition Luncheon October 11
“Fire in the Sky”Fire Fighter’s Ball October 15
Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Events!
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updates throughout the year!
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