Answering the Call for a Fire Safe Wisconsin

ANSWERING THE CALL FOR A FIRE SAFE AND BURN FREE WISCONSIN
2016
BURN CAMP
REPORT
Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation
JANUARY 2017
THE
NEWSLETTER

PFFWCF CHAIRMAN
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ThankYou
2 Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation
I never cease to be amazed by the
forward momentum of the Professional
Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable
Foundation (PFFWCF). We have added
new opportunities for burn survivors, fire
prevention programs, support programs for
fire fighters, as well as numerous initiatives
to strengthen Wisconsin communities.
We are not slowing down. We have
welcomed passionate people into new
roles to help us maintain and enhance the
important work we do. We have also brought in several new supporters to
ensure that our mission and programs are sustainable and our mission to
promote, encourage, and foster fire safety and burn prevention is executed
successfully.
John Niederer, Fire Chief in the Town of Bristol, as well as two of our
brothers from Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters Local 215, Scott Hall
and Scott Van Roo (retired), were added to our PFFWCF Board of Directors.
All three have been longtime supporters of the Summer Camp for Burn
Injured Youth and the foundation for many years. Chief Niederer was one
of the pioneers in creating the Firefighters 4 Charity group that has provided
thousands of dollars to the Burn Camp and other local charities for years.
This year, in addition to continuing their role in Local 215’s Packer Party
to support camp, Hall and Van Roo wanted to do even more. Hall now
serves on our membership committee and Van Roo kicked off a new annual
Burn Camp fundraiser, “Van Roo Fest,” to celebrate his marriage to his
wife, Carla. Local 215 surprised us again when President Dave Seager
presented us with an additional sponsorship check of $25,000. What a
showing of support!
In addition to our new board members, we made one other change in
our leadership structure. After a series of interviews with the PFFWCF
Executive Committee and an unbiased panel of professionals, it was with
great pride that we offered the role of Executive Director to Mike Wos in
September 2016. We noticed Mike’s community contributions early in his
career as a fire fighter/paramedic with the City of Oshkosh and Professional
Firefighters of Oshkosh, Local 316. Mike was also the Executive Director
and one of the founding trustees of the Oshkosh Fire Fighters Charitable
Trust. He began his work on the PFFWCF Board of Directors in January
2015 and since that time we have been consistently impressed by his work
ethic and attention to detail. Mike will carry out our foundation’s mission
with guidance from Mike DeGarmo – the Charitable Foundation Liaison to
the PFFW Executive Board, and with assistance from Jenna Jordan, our
Program Director.
As our team continues to grow, we will continue to expand and diversify
our programming. The need is great and our challenges are many but
with the resources, help, and support of dedicated people, our success is
guaranteed. I have been moved by the great work we have accomplished
and I look forward to the strides we will make.
Mahlon Mitchell, Chairman
Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation
PROFESSIONAL
FIRE FIGHTERS
OF WISCONSIN CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION
The Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation,
Inc., (“PFFWCF”) is a 501(c) (3) organization.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAHLON MITCHELL I Chairman
STEVE WILDING I Vice-Chairman
MICHAEL WOODZICKA I Director
MICHAEL DEGARMO I Director
MATT SIMPSON I Director
DAN GENGLER I Director
MICHAEL HAFEMAN I Director
JIM HIRSCH I Director
DAVE BOSANKO I Director
SCOTT VAN ROO I Director
SCOTT HALL I Director

STAFF
MICHAEL J. WOS I Executive Director
JENNA JORDAN I Program Director
321 MAIN STREET, SUITE 200
MADISON, WI 53703 I 608-630-8440
Send us your event pics!
jenna@pffwcf.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
I am incredibly humbled and honored for the
opportunity to serve and advance the mission
of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin
Charitable Foundation (PFFWCF). The mission
of the PFFWCF is “to promote, encourage, and
foster fire prevention, burn prevention, and fire
safety education. We support burn survivors of
all ages and host the Summer Camp for Burn
Injured Youth.” Our vision is to create a FIRE
SAFE and BURN FREE Wisconsin. We are
extremely grateful because we are surrounded
by great people who share our passion and
belief in the core values of public service,
dedication, compassion, and courage that is
the embodiment of what this organization is and
always has been.
The PFFWCF provides world class programs
that serve the people of Wisconsin. Some
of which we absorbed when taking on the
former Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety, some
came from PFFW Charities, and some we are
working to develop. In all, we have four areas
of programming; Burn Survivor, Fire Prevention,
Fire Fighter Support, and Community Support
Programs. Our Program Director, Jenna Jordan
does an excellent job seeing that our programs
are of the highest quality, are mission driven,
and are continuously improving to meet the
needs of those we serve.
This past October also represented the 29th
anniversary of a series of tragic events in the
history of the Wisconsin fire service. In a 15 day
period between September 30th and October
15th, 1987 twenty people lost their lives in fire,
including 17 children. These events and many
like it were the catalyst to start the Wisconsin
Alliance for Fire Safety (WAFS). Over the next
27 years, the WAFS would grow to become a
successful charity offering multiple burn survivor
and fire prevention programs - including the
Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth that
has since provided over 1500 summer camp
experiences to young burn survivors ages 7-17.
Burn Camp provides young burn survivors with
a sense community, the opportunity to heal,
and the support needed to build confidence to
overcome the physical and emotional scarring
caused by their burn injuries.
The WAFS also established nationally
recognized fire prevention programs like
Newspapers in Education - a special fire safety
edition inserted into the Sunday Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel that kicks off Fire Prevention
Week every year. Planning is underway for the
20th Anniversary Edition in 2017.
In 2015, the PFFWCF absorbed the WAFS with
the promise to maintain all of the programming
moving forward. It has been almost two years
and we are happy to report we have not only
maintained the WAFS’s great programming but
are working to grow the programs.
None of this would be possible without
your support and without your belief in this
organization. We have accomplished a lot,
however we have a long way to go to create a
fire safe and burn free Wisconsin. Almost all the
fires are preventable. However, we constantly
hear about people dying in fires and many more
suffering injuries. The job is not done and with
your support we will continue to work until it is.
We have many opportunities for you to help our
cause, please contact us for more information
about our programs, volunteer opportunities,
charitable giving, or our upcoming events.
Thank you again for allowing me this
opportunity to serve this organization, for all the
great things you do, and for your support of the
PFFWCF. We wish you a safe and prosperous
2017.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Wos
Meet our new
Executive Director
January 2017 3

PROGRAM DIRECTOR REPORT
2016 was full of surprises for the Professional Fire Fighters
of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation (PFFWCF)! We carried
out our usual programs and added a few new ones. We are
thankful to a number of people from our group of supporters who
contributed in new ways to make it a wonderful year. My primary
objective in taking the program director position two years ago
was making sure that the spirit of the Wisconsin Alliance for
Fire Safety was kept alive under the leadership of the PFFWCF.
With the help of our board of directors, volunteers, and loyal
supporters, I believe we have done just that.
Our 2016 Burn Survivor Support Programs were all impactful
and successful. The PFFWCF created a relationship with The
Roger Pepper Adventure Camp in Crested Butte, Colorado and
were able to send two of our teen burn survivors to attend their
winter camp in January. In February, we hosted our “Positive
Self-Image and Healthy Choices” themed Winter Leadership
Program for survivors ages 17-24. Through our foundation,
one of our Burn Camp campers was connected with Fireman
Rob who was able to coordinate a trip to Walt Disney World
for her and her family in March. We also sponsored a group of
community leaders and survivors to attend the Wise Foundation
Young Adult Burn Survivor Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma in
April. In July, we invited our survivors ages 14+ to ride in the Bike
4 Boys & Girls Club Charity Bike Ride as a challenge program. Of
course, in August the Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth was
taking place but this year we added the Young Adult Leadership
Program (YALP) and continued our Burn Camp Explorers
Program during the same week! Finally, we sponsored a group
of adult survivors to attend the Phoenix Society’s World Burn
Congress in Providence, Rhode Island in October.
While we believe the above mentioned support programs are
of the utmost importance, we also strive to provide education
throughout the state of Wisconsin with the intention of preventing
fires and avoiding traumatic burn injuries. Our Fire Prevention
and Safety initiatives over the past year have included expanding
the age range of the student recipients of the Fire Safety
Edition of Newspapers in Education to include eighth graders
(previously only fourth-seventh graders received the paper),
taking a stronger leading role in the Wisconsin Smoke Alarm Fire
Education (WisSAFE) Coalition which issued more than 13,000
smoke alarms to over 200 fire departments for distribution in
their communities. We also support Survive Alive, mobile trailers
and permanent structures which teach our youth how to safely
escape a burning building. In October, we held our Fall Fire
Safety Recognition Luncheon to acknowledge organizations and
individuals who had worked especially hard to keep Wisconsin
fire safe and burn free. With support from our luncheon honorees
and many others, we will continue to dispense life and property
saving information to Wisconsin citizens of all ages.
Furthermore, our community support efforts have begun to
complement our fire safety and burn survivor support programs.
We now proudly support firefighter welfare programs – especially
for those who have been diagnosed with line of duty cancer
and other ailments. We also support communities and enhance
the great things fire fighters do
for their communities like MDA,
Operation Warm – Coats for
Kids, Safety Blitz – Child ID,
and disaster relief. We want to
do all we can to make sure that
all Wisconsin communities are
healthy, happy, and most of all,
safe.
All of the new PFFWCF programming is a reflection of some
longstanding goals of our founders. They are valuable to the
communities we live in and have helped to make a real difference,
but the fact that we have been able to implement them is the
result of passion, hard work, and vision from people of all walks
of life. We are able to carry out our mission with support from
a community of amazing people who assist the organization in
innumerable and often untold ways – from volunteers, to private
donors, to organizational donors, to friends. We cannot thank
you enough!
Jenna Jordan, Program Director
Diverse, Successful Programs
Making a Difference
WHY SPONSOR
PFFWCF EVENTS?
Reach the RIGHT PEOPLE at the right time.
Sposor/advertising packages available.
Questions? Contact Mike at 414-430-3697
or exec@pffwcf.org
Join leaders in the fire-service
related industry as a sponsor of
the Professional Fire Fighters of
Wisconsin Charitable Foundation.
A variety of sponsorship packages
are available and can be tailored
specifically to your budget or
organization’s marketing needs.

Young Adult Burn Survivor
Conference 2016:
The Wise Foundation once again hosted the Fifth Annual
Young Adult Burn Survivor Conference (YABC) April 14-17
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This conference is for survivors ages 16-20 as well as
community leaders who learn from workshops to bring back
information to their own Burn Survivor Support Programs.
This year we were able to bring four young survivors that have
graduated from our Burn Camp and Community Leaders: Tina
Jordan (Camp Nurse), Melissa Kersten (Camp Co-Director),
and Jenna Jordan (Program Director). Kersten shared, “Each
day was filled with not only educational sessions for the
community leaders but also time to reflect on why we are
involved in the burn survivor community. We also had the
opportunity to network with community leaders from several
other states, sharing stories and tips about what our local
burn survivor organizations can do to help empower these
incredible survivors. The experience left me humbled by each
survivor’s willingness to be open and share some of their most
important moments.”
We have enjoyed sending a small group of Wisconsin burn
survivors to this event to challenge them and to help them
see that their burn survivor community extends far beyond
our state. We believe so much in this program that we have
decided to be the presenting sponsor for it March 16-19, 2017.
Not only that but we are moving it to Madison, Wisconsin! We
will be partnering with the Wise Foundation to create a brand
new experience for these survivors. As one of the benefits of
the dual funding and resources, we are able to expand the age
range to make sure that survivors do not lose their network
of support as they age. We are welcoming new and returning
attendees from all around the United States. We have already
received help from the UW Burn Center and several other
sponsors to make this an unforgettable weekend for all of our
attendees.
First time attendee, Nina De Lude, also wanted to share her
thoughts on the conference:
The Young Adult Burn Survivor Conference was such an eye
opening experience for me. It was my first year attending this
event and I am beyond thankful that I got to experience it. The four
day conference was full of “get to know you” activities, as well as
motivational speakers, and even life lessons. As a burn survivor
of only about three years, I am still new to all that accompanies
being a survivor. This young adult conference helped open me up
even more and allowed me to meet more survivors with whom I
made real connections. I am generally a very shy person until I get
to know someone, but right off the bat I felt welcomed and knew
that these were people that I wanted to know more. Charles was
a speaker who shared a message about Hope that was incredibly
inspiring. The part of his talk that I liked and enjoyed most was
when he said, “Don’t let anyone take away your hope, including
yourself.” That really hit home for me and has given me the push
I needed to make some very important decisions regarding my
future. I am so thankful to Jenna Jordan, The PFFW Charitable
Foundation, The Wise Foundation, and all of the contributors that
help make this conference which I had the pleasure of attending
happen. It is absolutely a life-changing conference!
- Nina De Lude
Bike 4 Boys & Girls Club Ride 2016
Typically, each year we team up with Lon Haldeman to offer a biking challenge program to our 14+ year-
old burn survivors, but this past summer we had too many conflicts to plan it together. This year, as we
were unable to host the full week-long tour, we opted to offer our survivors a shot at riding in an 8-, 25-, or
50-mile bike ride fundraiser hosted by the Boys & Girls Club on July 16, 2016. Doing this, the participants
were able to join the challenge program as well as feel good about raising funds for another reputable non-
profit. A member of Lon’s team, Byron Gremley and his daughter Kelly helped us to raise funds to join the
ride and led the 25-mile race for half of the group while the other half mustered up the courage to brave the
50-mile ride! We hope to hold the full bike tour for 2017, but this was a great substitution and we will keep
you posted on upcoming plans.
January 2017 5

NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION
2016 Awards TourIn October 2015 we distributed our “Fire Escape Plan” themed edition of
Newspapers In Education in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The paper
includes articles on fire prevention and safety as well as activities for
teachers, students and parents.
PFFWCF Program Director, Jenna Jordan along with Fire Prevention
Officer Lori Wirth, Lt. Bauer, and other firefighters from the Madison
Fire Department spent an afternoon judging fire safety themed posters
submitted by 4th-7th grade students across Wisconsin. The posters
reflected a fire safety message to show what students learned from the
newspaper. Eight special prizes were awarded based on selections made
by this group of fire safety experts. The poster winners were awarded
with their own framed posters and Kohl’s gift cards.
Teachers also had an opportunity to write an essay about how they used
the newspapers and other resources to prepare their students and teach
lessons in fire safety. Six awards were given for the best essays in the
form of $1,500 and $500 checks.
In March of 2016 Executive Director, Mike Wos and Program Director
Jenna Jordan traveled the state to make award presentations. During
the presentations, local firefighters were invited to assist in offering a fire
safety lesson to the classrooms and check in on how much the students
remembered from the newspapers!
ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS --------------------------------------
$1,500 Winners:
Lynn Wagner, West Milwaukee Intermediate School
Janice Dadian-Posda, Carrollton Elementary School in Oak Creek
$500 Winners:
Coleen Pember, Tiffany Creek Elementary School, Boyceville
Rachel Kreibich, North Woods International School, La Crosse
Lori Bongert, Rio Elementary School in Rio
Jenna Zeutzius of Weyauwega-Fremont in Weyauwega
POSTER CONTEST WINNERS ------------------------------------
Grand Prize: Ava H., Mondovi Elementary
1st Prize: Emily H., Fox River Middle School;
Jacob A., Whitnall Middle School
2nd Prize: Carmen B., Cambria-Friesland Middle School;
Alice E., L.B. Clark Middle School
Honorable Mentions:
Alondra G., Cambria-Friesland Middle School
Kenzie G., L.B. Clark Middle School
Mitchell G., Winneconne Elementary School
In early 2017 we will tour for the 2016 edition that focused on smoke
alarms. We were especially excited to receive new sponsorship and
expand to offer 8th graders the opportunity to receive the educational
newspaper. We are already receiving poster submissions for our 2017
awards tour and we cannot wait to read the teacher essays!
Carrollton Elementary School
North Woods International School in La Crosse
Winneconne Elementary
West
Milwaukee
Intermediate
FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Weyauwega-Fremont in Weyauwega
Cambria-Friesland Middle School Fox River Middle School
Rio Elementary SchoolL.B. Clark Middle School

Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth
It was another great year of Burn Camp! This year’s theme was “Be A Survivor,” to reinforce the
language of referencing the campers as “Burn Survivors” rather than “Burn Victims.” After a full year’s
preparation by the Burn Camp Steering Committee (BCSC) and collaboration with several individuals
and organizations, we were pleased to share a 22nd year of unique activities with our campers.
2016
We are Survivors!
continued
DAY 1
Our schedule began on Sunday, August 14 with a “Welcome
Back” Ceremony where we declared our mixed “Amazing Race”
teams – campers and staff were split into teams to complete
daily individual and team-based challenges throughout the
week. Following the ceremony our campers dressed in donated
clothing, accessories, and silly costumes and had their faces
painted by Brittany Esser to get ready to dance to music
provided by DJ Todd Dettmering and his family.
DAY 2
Volunteers from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, led by
Stephanie Clayton provided a full morning’s activities for our
campers including writing a camp song! Campers then decorated
colored bandanas to identify with their teams and got whipped
into shape with “Burn Camp Boot Camp,” led by Judd Sweitzer.
We were pleased to host a local hero, Chris Cook, as a speaker
for our teens while our youth campers were led in a yoga practice
by volunteers from YogaOne Studio.
DAY 3
All of the campers had an opportunity to take a tethered hot
air balloon ride offered by Wind Dancer Balloons in the early
morning followed by some of the fun activities that Timber-lee
staff shares with us. After that, campers dressed in their team
colors to run the Amazing Race challenge course together!
This was a fun, silly, messy compilation of eating challenges,
coordination, wit, and relay style fun put together by our BCSC
and volunteer activities staff. Later, our youth girls’ cabin offered
their services with the Pavilion Salon with makeup, nail polish,
and hair products to doll up the rest of the campers and staff.
With flashy new makeovers, we were all ready to greet the 100+
motorcycles led by the Kettle Moraine HOG Chapter for a brat
and corn roast as well as some rides for the campers.
DAY 4
The older teens left campus on Wednesday for their offsite trip
to the Harley Museum (admission donated by Brian & Justine
Bieganski) and several other Milwaukee area attractions
including lunch at Barnacle Bud’s offered at a discounted rate to
our camp group. While the teens were away, the rest of the camp

enjoyed a Life Casting hand mold activity prepared by former
camper, Jessica Graf, and projects with a volunteer group from
Columbia-St. Mary’s Hospital. All of the campers and staff were
able to finish their day with massages from American Massage
Therapy Association volunteers.
DAY 5
Visitor’s Day for families and other camp supporters. We began
the day handing out dog tags donated by Leading Edge
Promotions before our Parade of Apparatus, led for the last time
by longtime supporter Ross Marshall. Marshall will be missed in
his organizational leadership role, but has assured us that camp
will continue to live in his heart and mind. Everyone enjoyed the
display leading into the lunch prepared by Robb Bosanko and
friends. The day was fun and exciting, especially as the carnival
opened and Greenfield Firefighters and Fire & Iron Clubs
foamed the slip ‘n’ slide!
DAY 6
Our last full day of camp. Although weather kept our teens
from their annual trip to Phantom Ranch the morning was full
of fun activities. Cathy Lueder coordinated a visit from therapy
dogs and their owners, and WCTC cosmetology students
donated their time offering makeovers before our trip to the
East Troy Fire Department for a meal and a karaoke party.
The ETFD celebration is always a fun lead-up activity to our
closing ceremony for the graduating campers and the Bartolotta
donated fireworks display!
Snacks and meals were donated throughout the week by Jay
Peartree of Fire & Iron 37, West Allis Fire Department, North
Prairie Auxiliary, Sable Flames & Madison Local 311 Charities,
Tess Corners, Oshkosh Fire Fighters Charitable Trust,
Wauwatosa Fire Department, PFFW, Oak Creek Professional
Fire Fighters Local 1848, East Troy Fire Department,
Bernatello’s Pizza, Coliseum Bar & Grill, Engelhardt Dairy,
Hubbard Avenue Diner, Robert’s Frozen Custard, Starbuck’s
(27th & Morgan), UW Burn Center, and the Wisconsin Baker’s
Association. Additional materials, transportation and other
logistical help before, during, and after camp were provided by
Bell Ambulance, Al Jansen and the Milwaukee Fire Academy,
Julie Schley & family, Appleton Trophies, Avalon Graphics,
Mike Kanter, Madison Firefighter volunteers, UW Burn Center
volunteers, Chris Borman, Fire & Iron MC 17, 37, 131, & 141,
Flight for Life, UW Med Flight, WI State Army Aviation Office,
The Horton Group, Jenney Rott, Kohl’s Cares, Monlycke
Health, Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling, Troy Center
Firefighters, Willy Ellertson, and of course, Camp Timber-lee.
There are also many others who requested that we keep their
charitable involvement anonymous and others who provided help
or donations spontaneously. We hope to offer them credit in the
future. THANK YOU ALL!
“It’s a special type of camp
we look forward to every
year. Everybody is very
nice and accommodating.”
“Camp provided a much
needed break for me as
a single parent and it
helps foster my daughter’s
appreciation of me as a
mother and caregiver.”
“Camp is a great place for a child to be a kid
and not be looked it as different. Staff is great,
caring, friendly, and remember you every year.”

SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF ALL AGES
ADDITIONAL BURN CAMP
PROGRAMS
This year was our second year running the Burn Camp
Explorers Program (BCE) in conjunction with the Burn Camp
for young survivors, ages 3+ who are not old enough or not
at a point in their treatment where they can attend the full
week of camp. We hope to introduce these young children
to the community at an early age and instill confidence in
their parents to leave their children in our care for the full
camp week when they come of age. Participants and their
parents are able to join the staff for a meet and greet and a
tour that helps parents and children become comfortable with
the volunteer staff and the camp setting. They also get to
join in a craft activity so that they’re able to bring their camp
memories home with them. We had two young participants
this year and one of them liked the camp so much that he
opted to stay with us for the rest of the week!
In addition to the BCE Program, we added a Young Adult
Leadership Program (YALP) for survivors, ages 18-21, to
do job shadowing work with camp staff and take workshop
courses to help them with financial independence and offer
them valuable life skills. The program is selective and only
able to accommodate participants with a serious interest in
improving their leadership skills to become better Burn Camp
counselors and better adults in the real world. Courtney
Hull and Sam Paulinski were our YALP Directors, both put
an astounding amount of work into building the rotating
curriculum and the activities associated with this year’s
program. With the unremitting growth of our organization,
we continue to pursue our goal to make sure that our young
survivors stay involved with the community and prepare
themselves for leadership roles in all aspects of life.
Samantha Paton (20) was one of our former campers who
joined us for the inaugural year of this program. She wrote
the PFFWCF a letter after the program and told us,
“The YALP taught me valuable lessons in developing self-
confidence, professional development, financial planning, and
the importance of goal setting. I even had the opportunity to
plan and lead a youth activity. This experience reminded me
how important giving back to others, especially young burn
survivors, means to me. My dream is to return to Burn Camp
as a counselor and become a positive role model to campers,
just as my counselors were for me.”
We cannot wait to expand and continue this new and
valuable program. These young adults are truly our future!
“I think it is special that there
is place where their burns don’t
matter and they can concentrate
on having fun.”
“My son has made lifelong
friendships that he looks
forward to reconnecting
with every year.”

World Burn Congress
This past October, we along with Columbia-St. Mary’s Burn Center,
were able to sponsor a group of burn survivors and supporters to
attend the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress. This most recent
conference was held in Providence, Rhode Island and, with the help
of our generous donors, we were able to send 10 attendees. The
Phoenix Society offers support to burn survivors of all ages and the
most prominent example of that support is displayed at the World Burn
Congress each year. Roughly 1,000 burn survivors, family members, fire
fighters, and medical & psychological professionals are brought together
for this life changing experience.
During the early years of our foundation, much of the support we were
able to offer survivors was restricted to our Summer Camp for Burn
Injured Youth, which serves survivors ages 7-17. Through the growth of
our support network, we have been able to offer programming specific
to young adults and beyond. It has been amazing to reunite former
campers with their burn survivor community after years away from the
Burn Camp through sponsorship of this program.
Latoya Eskridge was burned on 73% of her body as a three year old
child in a house fire. In addition to the many challenges we all face while
growing up, she has undergone over 100 reconstructive and cosmetic
surgeries. She became a part of our burn survivor community when
she joined us as a Burn Camp camper at only seven years old. Now,
28, she still has access to her burn survivor support network through
the PFFWCF. She is sponsored by the PFFWCF to attend the Phoenix
Society’s World Burn Congress and speaks on behalf of the foundation
frequently. When asked about her experience at World Burn Congress,
she told us:
IAFF International
Burn Camp
Once again, we sent one of our Burn Camp campers
along with a counselor to the International 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. Last
September, we were pleased to send a fifteen year
old camper named Abby. She had never flown in an
airplane by herself and had never been to the East
Coast. Along with Abby, we sent camp staff member
of 18 years, Suzanne Hotz. Suzanne works at the
Columbia-St. Mary’s Burn Center and has a special
connection to burn survivors through her many years
of experience. These two have shared their thoughts
below.
IAFF Camper Experience
By: Abby Mielkie
Thank you to everyone who made it a dream come
true to attend International Burn Camp. I have been
attending the Wisconsin Burn Camp for many years
and have learned so much every year. I have made
friends and most important, have accepted what
happened to me. Attending the Burn Camp in DC was
the most amazing thing that could come of being a
burn survivor. While in DC, I visited national monuments
and learned so much about history. I also met other
survivors from other states and we talked about all
the great things we do at our yearly burn camps. I will
always remember my experience and am grateful to
have been chosen to go to DC.
IAFF Staff Experience
By: Suzanne Hotz
Nothing can compare to the experiences I had in
Washington DC. From the beauty of Camp Wabanna,
to the people I came to know very quickly. It was and
will be one of the best weeks of my life. It is difficult to
choose a “favorite” of all that I saw and experienced
but I would have to say that Arlington and George
Washington’s home were interesting and very moving.
All the places we went were amazing but they would
not have been nearly as interesting or fun if not for the
group Abby and I went everywhere with. Learning their
stories and about their lives outside of camp brought
us very close very quickly and I will never forget them
sharing with us.
I love the World Burn Congress, it recharges me to face my every day life.
Growing up, I didn’t live in the best neighborhood and my family lost almost
everything in the fire that caused my injuries so we didn’t have much money.
The Burn Camp was my safe place when I was young, I did so many things I
never thought I’d get a chance to try – whether it was because of my injuries
or because I didn’t have the means. When I graduated at 17, I felt like I was
leaving a little part of me behind because I wasn’t able to become staff. For
years, I was in a very dark place. Even though I maintained some contact
with other survivors and camp staff it was harder to reunite in person like
we did at camp. When
I rejoined Columbia-St.
Mary’s Burn Support
Group as an adult, I found
out that the PFFWCF and
CSM sponsor adults like
me to attend the World
Burn Congress. I didn’t
know what to expect when
I went for the first time but
now that I’ve been there,
I’m hooked! Each year,
I meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. The conference reminds
me that there are so many others like me and that I really am a survivor. My
involvement with programs like this has given me confidence and inspired
me to share my story with others any opportunity I get. I want to help others,
especially kids, who have gone through the things that I have. I’m thankful to
CSM and the people who donate to the PFFWCF so that burn survivors are
able to experience World Burn Congress. It’s a life changing conference that
all burn survivors should get the opportunity to attend. Thank you!

January 2017 11
Winter Leadership Program 2016
The Winter Leadership Program is a post-Burn Camp
conference for burn survivor participants, ages 17-25.
This year, we held the program February 5-7, 2016. Our
theme was Positive Self-Image and Healthy Choices and
we had 25 participants and six volunteer staff join us for the
program.
We opened our program with assigning “meal prep teams”
for all of the meals we shared throughout the weekend and
our first team got started making spaghetti and meatballs
for the crew! Our other meals included homemade quiches,
tacos, and french toast, yum!
We had Tommy Pickens, a motivational speaker and friend
to the Alliance for Fire Safety from California to share his
wisdom on physical, mental, and spiritual health. He shared
some of his words to live by with our group: “Eagles aren’t
made to hang with chickens” – the phrase meaning that we
are all born to be eagles that soar and follow whatever path
we choose but sometimes we let fear turn us into chickens
that “never leave to coop.” These chickens can be negative
and scare us from our dreams so we need to keep our
bodies and minds
strong enough to
keep up with what
we truly want in life.
We also had some
volunteers Gwen,
Catherine, and
Andy from YogaOne
Studio in Fox
Point teach our
participants some
yoga basics to help
quiet the mind and
bring strength to
the body. They even
donated mats so
that our participants
could take their
new practice home.
It was a first time
experience for many
of our participants
and it was so much fun!
We also split our group to volunteer at The Hope House for
battered women and children and Habitat for Humanity’s
Re-Store in Baraboo. Hope House volunteers helped put
together a craft project for Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Month and cleaned up snow and other areas of the shelter.
Participants that went to the Re-Store, helped move and
organize building supplies. Both groups had a great time and
also got to experience what it feels like to give back.
We were thrilled to have such a great turn out and to have
our programming so well received. Thank you to all of our
volunteers!
In November, I had the privilege of attending the 2016
International Association of Burn Camps (IABC) biennial
workshop hosted by the Alisha Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
(AARBF) in California. The workshop was held at Wonder
Valley Ranch in Sanger, CA, the same location as the host
foundations’ summer burn camp “Champ Camp.” We arrived
at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in the early afternoon
and stepped into a balmy California fall day. After lunch and a
quick Uber adventure through the outskirts of Fresno, we met
with a group of other attendees back at the airport awaiting the
shuttle. We were greeted by Daniel Chacon, better known by
his camp name, Apollo, the regional program director of AARBF
and the organizer of this year’s workshop. After introductions
we were loaded on a bus headed for Wonder Valley Ranch.
Upon our arrival we were greeted with smiles and open arms
like old friends even though many of us had never met before.
The rest of the evening was filled with unpacking, mingling, the
arrival of additional guests, an omnifarious dinner, and a few “ice
breakers.”
The following three days boasted a loaded and rich schedule.
Each morning began with a presentation by the workshop’s
keynote speakers, James Bosch and Cindy Rutter, both of
whom are burn survivors. Afternoons included multiple break-
out sessions covering a myriad of current topics affecting the
camping community. Every evening finished off the day with
a social event allowing time for networking, discussion, and
most of all, fun. The IABC’s biennial workshop offers a fantastic
opportunity for the numerous camps across the United States
and Canada to gather in one place to share their resources with
the burn survivor community in an effort to provide the best
possible camp experience to every child across the continent.
The information gathered at the IABC will be invaluable to the
AFS Burn Camp as we continue to enrich our programming and
offer new support for our camp “framily.” With a gathering of so
many extraordinary people it is impossible not to be infected
with motivation and optimism. I am very excited to bring what
we learned back to our camp in 2017 and look forward to
another fantastic year.
Jesse Schwark, Youth Boys Coordinator
Burn Camp Volunteer Staff
Enriching Burn Survivor
Support Programs
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BURN CAMPS

For the first time ever, two of our burn
survivors were offered an opportunity
to attend The Roger Pepper Adventure
Camp for Burn Survivors in Crested Butte,
Colorado. This event was held January 10,
2016, and was only open to a very select
group of survivors, it was an honor to have
Wisconsin participants selected to attend.
Participants bonded with other survivors,
sharing their stories while learning how to
ski and snowboard.
One of our participants, Eli, wrote us a
heartfelt letter describing his experience
and thanking us for the opportunity.
“This camp was able to show me on the
first day to not give up. When you fall down,
you gotta get up and keep going. Every
trainer was so supportive; when we would
fail doing new things during snowboarding
or skiing they would be right there to
encourage us to try again.
Although it was a fun experience doing
activities, we learned a lot about ourselves
that we did not know. A prime example
would be for me and a glass shower.
For the first time since being burned in
a shower with glass doors, I was able to
step into one that was similar to the one
that I was burned in. It was a blessing that
the Roger Pepper Camp had this for me
to overcome my biggest fear. I told my
counselor that I did this and he gave me a
big hug and told me how proud he was of
me! Even though I was only there for a week
at the camp I was able to meet new friends,
make dinner, become a family member with
another burn camp, and lastly get over the
fear of glass showers.
I was thankful to be able to have such an
amazing experience at the Roger Pepper
Camp but I would have never been able
to go if it were not for PFFW Charitable
Foundation. Thank you for thinking of me
and then connecting me to this camp. It
was a blessing to be given the opportunity
and an all paid trip.”
We also connected with Fireman Rob
Foundation who wanted our help in sending
a young burn survivor to Walt Disney World
through the foundation he had created. We
got him in contact with Brooke because we
simply couldn’t think of a more deserving
princess for the trip! He was willing to
share a bit about his history:
“I started the Fireman Rob Foundation
back in 2013 to follow a passion of mine
and make an impact on this world. The
foundation uses the acronym S.M.I.L.E.,
which means, Simple Moments Impact
Lives Every day. This was the premise
behind the primary mission of the Fireman
Rob Foundation, which is to deliver Gund
teddy bears to children in hospitals and in
disadvantaged situations all over the world.
It’s meant to provide a simple smile or
moment in which the pain does not exist.
Last year the Fireman Rob Foundation,
in partnering with Travel On A Dream
and Southwest Airlines, created the Gift
of Magic Project. This was aimed at
sending a very deserving child, who had
been affected by traumatic burns, to Walt
Disney World with their family (all expenses
paid). In the process, I reached out to the
PFFWCF and along with their support came
to the decision that our first recipient would
be Brooke. She had been through so much
in her life and was a shining example of
making the best of your life no matter what
challenges are thrown in your way. She is
an ambassador in her everyday life of what
the Fireman Rob Foundation is message
is... live your passion!”
Brooke and her family had been through so
much since her initial injury. The PFFWCF
and several other organizations and
individuals helped the family raise money
for a new prosthetic ear for her just prior to
this past year’s camp. They were all thrilled
to have been selected for the trip and
Brooke wrote to us to tell us about it:
“Hi, my name is Brooke Karper and I was
burned in a house fire when I was 14
months old. I was given a trip to Disney
World from the Fireman Rob Foundation
and Travel on a Dream. I got to bring three
people so I brought my mom, dad, and
cousin Lily.
My favorite part of the trip was going to the
Bippity Boppity Boutique and having our
hair, nails and makeup done. Then we got
to put on princess dresses and eat dinner in
the castle with the princesses.
We had a lot of fun on all the rides and
getting autographs from the princesses.”
SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHTS Eli & Brooke
Every newsletter we feature a spotlight on an amazing survivor who has earned special opportunities through
their involvement with the PFFWCF. For this edition we are featuring two inspirational survivors.
Memories and Magic

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
January 2017 13
(left to right) Burn Survivor Latoya
Eskridge supported by her family
at the Firefighter’s Ball; Chairman
Mahlon Mitchell and Executive
Director Mike Wos addressing
guests; Elizabeth Nelson and Vince
Vitrano presenting live auction items;
Mike Wos, Steve Wilding, and Mike
Wilding enjoying the night
Steve Wilding, Mahlon Mitchell, and Mike Woodzicka at the Madison Police & Fire Ball; Kohl’s Associates in action supports the Madison Local 311 Packer Party; Rise Christesen,
Jim Hirsch, Laurie Laz, Jesse Laz-Hirsch, Jenna Jordan - PFFWCF Directors are humbled by the longtime support from Paul Davis Restoration of South Central Wisconsin; Flyght Cycle
hosted a fundraiser for PFFWCF Burn Survivor Support Programs
New Berlin Fire Fighters Charity Golf Outing for MDA; Oak Creek Local 1848 Firefighters collecting toys for local children
Mahlon Mitchell with the Bosanko Brothers at their Packer Party; Fore the Kids Golf Tournament Champions; Fire & Iron MCs presenting their donation to Burn Camp”
Dave ‘Mr. Boz’ Bosanko presenting Bosanko Brothers for Charity Packer Party donation to Program Director Jenna Jordan and Executive Director Mike Wos; Jordan presenting guest
speaker Jared Estes at the Fall Fire Safety Recognition Luncheon; Charitable Foundation Liaison, Mike DeGarmo at the 2016 Van Roo Fest; Jordan accepting the donation from Local
215’s Packer Party alongside the Jansens.
(left to right) Lucas Kotschi, Steve Pieper, Rich Gee, Scott Arneberg, Steve Wilding, Cindy
McGinnis, Mahlon Mitchell, Jerry Biggart, Mike Woodzicka, Lance Tryggestad, and Matt
Simpson, PFFW Executive Board
PFFWCF
Fire Fighter’s
Ball 2016

The Burn Center Golf Invitational (BCGI) has been a proud
supporter of burn survivors since 1989.
The event began in concept at the 1987 National Fire Sprinkler
Association (NFSA) Convention in Florida, when several
Wisconsin attendees discussed a golf outing held in Indiana that
they all attended. The group decided to host their own golf event
– in the Milwaukee area for St. Mary’s Regional Burn Center. The
Burn Center Golf Invitational was born.
Dave Malek contacted St. Mary’s Hospital and the Milwaukee
Fire Department – both were interested in participating.
Milwaukee Fire Department Captain Dan Gengler, was recruited
to participate as a committee member. Dan has continued his
involvement, including 25 years as the event chair. Nearly 50
committee members have served since the Burn Center Golf
Invitational’s inaugural event.
The first outing was held at Tuckaway Country Club raising
$19,000 with approximately 125 golfers. After three years, to
accommodate greater participant interest, the outing was moved
to Geneva National Country Club. Two years later it was moved
to the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, where the tournament has
been held for the last 23 years.
Over the 28-year span, with the help of countless sponsors,
volunteers, donors and golfers the tournament has surpassed
$2.22 million. All proceeds support burn related causes, including
Columbia St. Mary’s Regional Burn Center and Professional Fire
Fighters of WI Charitable Foundation’s Alliance for Fire Safety
Camp for Burn-Injured Youth.
The purpose of BCGI is to “help in providing the best burn care,
the best burn prevention and the best in fire/burn safety.” The
event steering committee and targeted charities looks back on
the 28 years with gratitude, inspiration and thanks. We know that
with all of its supporters, the future will be met with continued
vigor for the causes it supports so well.
The outing celebrated its 28 years on August 29, 2016 with
another great success. The BCGI Steering Committee want to
thank all for their support and attendance.
It was a great day and evening at the Grand Geneva Resort &
Spa. Under sunny skies and 80⁰ temperatures, 160 golfers hit the
Brute and Highland courses of the complex. That evening, the
banquet hall was filled with those focused on positively changing
lives of those tragically burned or helping programs that help
prevent the horrors of fire and burn scenarios.
The BCGI Steering Committee is happy the 2016 outing raised
more than $87,000. A quick breakdown: $5,000, to the 19th
Annual Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin Alliance for
Fire Safety (AFS) Newspapers-in-Education Fire Safety school
outreach program. This project will reach 350,000 fourth through
eighth grade students in approximately 2,200 schools covering
Wisconsin.
After having our presentation by Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital
Regional Burn Center Medical Director Dr. Nicholas Meyer and
burn survivor Michael Wagner, an additional $10,000 Fund-a-
Cause auction item will finish funding the Lumenis UltraPulse
CO2 Laser tool that reduces scarring of burn patients, like
Michael.
Earmarked for the
CSM Foundation
will be $46,900.
Supporting the
patients and staff
of the Midwest’s
most incredible burn
unit, with $20,000
to the AFS for
young burn survivor
programming.
The Committee,
sponsored under the National Fire Sprinkler Association-
Wisconsin Chapter, has created an account to help the NFSA-WI
Chapter sponsor fire sprinkler training for fire service personnel.
To move in that direction, $5,000 of the 2016 BCGI proceeds
are designated to the chapter for a “Fire Sprinkler Education
Account.”
Introduced in 2016 is the Ray Malek Award. It was presented
at the banquet to those who exemplify the BCGI support
named after the man that helped make the event a success.
Acknowledged the first year were Gregg Huennekens, Bruce
LaRue, David Malek and Don Smith for their contribution
throughout the history of the outing. The award will be displayed
in the Burn Center Family Lounge of the Columbia St. Mary’s
Regional Burn Center in Milwaukee. Presenting for the family was
Ray’s son Darrel.
The 2016 Burn Center Golf Invitational was another outstanding
event, from every golf shot, bite of food, fun and friendship made
or renewed. The combined total for the outing has now reached
more than $2.2 million.
Join those helping others on August 28, 2017 at the Grand
Geneva Resort & Spa for another great event.
Over the 28-year span,
with the help of countless
sponsors, volunteers,
donors and golfers the
tournament has surpassed
$2.22 million.
Donor/Supporter/Event Highlight
By Dan Gengler

YOUR
MEMBERSHIP
MATTERS
JOIN US IN CREATING
A FIRE SAFE AND BURN
FREE WISCONSIN.
PFFWCF MEMBERSHIP
Join the PFFWCF Alliance for Fire Safety
and help create a Fire Safe and Burn Free
Wisconsin
WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP MEAN?
Membership is a reflection of a personal
commitment to the values of public service,
dedication, compassion, and courage
demonstrated by the first responders, care
givers, and burn survivors that are the heart of
the Alliance for Fire Safety.
You will recieve:
• Newsletter
• Invitations to all events and fundraisers
• An opportunity to have your voice heard
statewide
• Personal and professional growth, and
enrichment while sharing the camaraderie
with like minded people
• Access to special offers and
events available exclusively to members
January 2017 15
JOIN TODAY AT
PFFWCF.ORG
Help us
make 2017 our
best year yet!
We are fighting to create a burn free and fire
safe Wisconsin through:
- Burn Survivor Programs
- Fire Prevention and Safety Programs
- Fire Fighter Health, Safety, and Wellness Programs
- Community Outreach and Engagement Programs
Please consider a donation to the
Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin
Charitable Foundation.
With a donation of $50 or more, we are gifting
our membership which includes our newsletters,
invitations to events and celebrations, and a
network of individuals passionate about making
Wisconsin burn free and fire safe.
It’s easy to give.
Visit our website to make a
donation online

PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS
OF WISCONSIN CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION
321 MAIN STREET, SUITE 200 I MADISON, WI 53703
NON PROFIT ORG
U. S. POSTAGE
P A I D
MILWAUKEE, WI
PERMIT NO. 4048
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
JULY
AUGUST
Additional information about these events available at www.PFFWCF.org
AUGUST 13-19 Summer Camp for Burn
InjuredYouth AUGUST 17 Visitors Day
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 4 Fire Saftey Recognition Luncheon
OCTOBER 14 PFFWCF Fire Fighters Ball
SEPTEMBER 9 Firefighters 4 Charity Golf Outing
MARCH
AUGUST 28 Burn Center Golf Invitational
JUNE
JUNE 4 Backdraft Bike Tour
JULY 8 Fire & Iron 17 Motorcycle Ride
JULY 31 Paul Davis Golf Outing - Madison
SEPTEMBER 14 Fore the Kids Golf Outing
SEPTEMBER 9 Fire & Iron 141 Motorcycle
“Ride to Remember” - Green Bay
MARCH 16 - 19
Young Adult Burn Survivor Conference
MARCH 11 Firefighters 4 Charity Bowling
JANUARY
JANUARY 26 Burn Camp Fundraiser -WEMSA JANUARY 1 Panga Polar Plunge
MARCH South Shore PFF Chili Cookoff
JULY 15 Fire & Iron 131 Motorcycle Ride - Sparta

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