Be Brave - Help Others
Vancouver Firefighter Charities (VFC) is composed of 830 of Vancouver’s firefighters who volunteer off-duty to make our community a better place. Our firefighters have proudly built our own community-based programs; Snacks for Kids, Sports for Kids, Toys for Kids, Lifelines for Seniors and the Comfort Cart at the BC Cancer Agency. These programs are proudly subsidized by Vancouver Firefighters’ generous donations made through our Pay Roll Donation Program, where our firefighters donate over $180,000 annually.
In addition to our own community-based programs The VFC supports a multitude of organizations throughout the Lower Mainland, including the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, VGH+UBC Hospital Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Vancouver Hospice Society, Juvenile Diabetes BC, BC Kidney Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC, BC Cancer Research, Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, C.H.I.L.D. Foundation, and many more.
During the Great Depression, Firefighters provided food and clothing to the underprivileged on what became know as “Sunshine Days”. Vancouver Firefighters have continued this tradition over decades as they donate both their time and money to support a wide variety of important charitable causes.
The Vancouver Firefighter Charities (VFC) is an organization operated entirely by the Firefighter employees of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS). While the VFC operates its own events, under its own direction, it does so with support from the VFRS, through provision of fire apparatus and other considerations at some of the events that the chariable contributes to. This support is very much appreciated.
The VFC is proud to partner with many other charitable organizations throughout the Lower Mainland to provide presence, volunteers and support at their own events. In addition, VFC-owned programs provide financial support to a number of organizations, meaning that single donations go a long way in the community.
More than 830 men and women comprise Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, each of who is fiercely proud of his or her work and is dedicated to serving the people of this city. Each Firefighter’s job is to protect the lives and properties of Lower Mainland citizens, but it doesn’t stop there and Firefighters don’t stop at the end of their shift.
Vancouver Firefighter Charities is incredibly diverse in terms of its scope and realized mandate. The charitable participates in program development and execution, numerous fundraising activities, and actively partners with other important charitable organizations throughout theLowr Mainland.
Through the charitable, members of VFRS are deeply involved in the community and spend thousands of hours supporting dozens of worthwhile charities, including BC Children’s Hospital, Muscular Dystrophy Canada, the BC Lung Association and the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund.
Fundraising is a tradition that started almost a century ago, and it was made official in 1998 with the launch of the Vancouver Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society, now named Vancouver Firefighter Charities.
Firefighters respond to all types of medical calls and are usually the first ones on scene. Firefighters rescue people trapped in elevators, they have delivered babies, and they give first aid to people caught in accidents or in medical distress. They are trained to deal with hazardous materials, shut off
water, pull people from car wrecks, and perform all manner of light and heavy urban search and rescue.
Firefighters are key role models for the youth in the local community and spend a lot of time in schools teaching fire prevention and basic first aid skills. They are also visible members of society, helping out with various community initiatives.
And when they aren’t out on calls, or volunteering in the community, firefighters are constantly learning. They train and perform drills on every shift, they clean the truck, check equipment and hold hall tours for the general public. They attend block parties, and are out conducting fire inspections on buildings in their neighbourhoods.
Firefighters are the “call for anything, anytime” department, and have the resources to handle almost any emergency.
The Vancouver Firefighters’ Charitable Society. Community. Driven.
Our events raise funds to support many charitable programs developed by the Vancouver Fire Fighters' Charitable Society.
Fire In Your Kitchen is a unique dining experience designed to bring great food and firefighters to the community.
Each year, professional firefighters volunteer as models and appear in the calendar which raises funds for a variety of causes.
Firefighters, friends & family gather annually for a day of shooting to support finding a cure for ALS.
In addition to lifesaving work done on duty, Firefighters voluntarily choose to donate time and money from their paychecks.
Vancouver Firefighter Charities is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Directors are elected by members of VFC for a term of 2 years.
There are many ways you can contribute to our causes
Learn more about the many ways you can be a part of the team!