The Bellevue Fire Department has long supported charitable giving in the community. Through the years personnel from the department have supported many fundraising efforts, with the goal of raising awareness as well as money, to benefit causes that directly affect the residents of our community.
The Bellevue Fire Department and the Firefighters of IAFF Local 1604 proudly support the following local non-profit 501(c)(3) community partners and charitable organizations:
Bellevue Firefighters Community Support Foundation
The BFCSF was founded in 1999 by members of the Bellevue Fire Department to help those in need. The foundation holds an annual drive to collect food and toys during the holidays and performs other outreach with area children; coordinating activities with Youth Eastside Services (YES) and Hopelink.
The BFCSF also helps support firefighters and their families in times of need and contributes to the Bellevue Fire Honor Guard. For more information or to donate, you can visit the Bellevue Firefighters Community Support Foundation website.
Bellevue Fire Foundation
The Bellevue Fire Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization created to support Bellevue's firefighters and paramedics in protecting life, property, and the environment by providing equipment, training, and community engagement programs that go beyond city resources.
Medic One Foundation
The Medic One Foundation has grown from a simple fund created to handle donations to Seattle's groundbreaking new paramedic program, to a leader in the EMS community; funding paramedic training for all Medic One providers in King County, as well as many communities throughout our region.
In addition, the Foundation funds grants for medical research and equipment and provides CPR and First Aid training. For more information or to donate, you can visit the Medic One Foundation website.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Firefighter Stairclimb)
It takes 69 floors, 1,356 steps, and 788 feet of vertical elevation gain to reach the top of the Columbia Center Tower, the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. Every year over 2000 firefighters from 300+ departments complete this climb in full structural firefighting gear to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Bellevue has sent a team of 20 firefighters to participate for many years and was recently recognized for raising over $250,000. In 2016 Firefighter Eric Rickert (a Mantle Cell Lymphoma survivor) raised over $10,000 himself.
Muscular Dystrophy Association (Fill the Boot)
Since 1954, the International Association of Firefighters has worked with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to "Fill the Boot." Bellevue Firefighters Local 1604 is proud to be a part of this tradition. In early fall you can find off duty Bellevue Firefighters on the streets of Clyde Hill with bunker boots, collecting donations for "Jerry's Kids."
Fill The Boot raises critical funds to uncover scientific and medical breakthroughs that accelerate treatments and cures across the full spectrum of neuromuscular disease.
Bellevue Honor Guard
The Bellevue Fire Honor Guard is a dedicated group of individuals who provide memorial services for fallen firefighters and stand as color guard at public events, often collaborating with the King County Firefighters Pipe and Drums'
The Bellevue Fire Honor Guard trains annually with the elite U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard in Washington DC. and strives to exhibit the same classic precision and rich tradition and helps to instruct other honor guards across Washington State. The services of this group can be made available upon request. Donations can be directed through the Bellevue Firefighters Community Support Foundation.
King County Firefighter Pipes and Drums
The King County Firefighter's Pipes and Drums was founded in 2009 by current and former King County Firefighters as a way to honor their fallen brothers and sisters.
The KCFPD also performs at other department functions like promotional and retirement ceremonies as well as public celebrations, parades and other community events.
Of course St. Patrick’s Day is the busiest day of the year and the band can be found playing in many places around the county. Information on coming events can be found on the KCFPD Facebook page.