WHO WE ARE.
We are an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charity.
We support the financial needs of firefighting families battling cancer with direct cash disbursements for recipient families to spend as needed, and without reservation. FireK also seeks to connect recipient families, post diagnosis, with resources to increase survivability and wellness.
We understand nothing alleviates the pain of having cancer. However, FireK strives to offset some of the financial difficulties these brave heroes face. Any firefighter or an immediate family member that has been diagnosed with cancer may be nominated to receive financial assistance. FireK disperses a minimum of $1,000 to a minimum of 3 recipients every year. An independent panel of firefighters from local departments decide the order in which the nominees are assisted.
Our non-profit has no paid staff. All personnel who assist with the operation of FireK do so on a volunteer basis with no financial reimbursements. Our funding is mainly from fundraising events and donations.
WHY WE DO IT.
Cancer is the #1 threat to firefighter health and safety today.
Cancer caused 66 percent of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019, according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Heart disease caused 18 percent of career LODDs for the same period.
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According to research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).​
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Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer
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Firefighters have a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population
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In 2022, CSRA Firefighters earned an average annual salary of $40,000.
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In 2019, an adult cancer patient faced an average of $16,346 of out-of-pocket cost
WHERE WE STARTED.
In 2014, group of veteran CSRA firefighters banded together to support their own; fellow firefighters battling the hardships of life after a cancer diagnosis. FireK founders rallied to cover shifts and raise money to help fellow firefighters face off with lost wages and newfound needs for gas money, hotel rooms, child care, medical specialists, expensive testing and extensive treatment. Later that year, the inaugural FireK 5K was held, challenging area firefighters to run the race in turn out hear, loaded down with an air pack. People paid attention and came out to support their heroes as their heroes supported their own. And FireK has been growing ever since.
Back then, a firefighter’s heightened risk of cancer was not widely known, but the founders of FireK realized their risk with a simple, but sobering, look around. Firefighters have a physically demanding job and their fitness level is well above average. Strength and vigor, however, did not seem to shield anyone from a cancer diagnosis.
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WHAT WE HAVE DONE.
In our first 10 years of operation, we have been able to assist
40 families with $40,000 total
2014
AIKEN PUBLIC SAFETY
2014
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2014
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2015
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2015
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2016
GROVETOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
2016
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2017
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2017
AIKEN PUBLIC SAFETY
2017
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2018
HOMELAND PARK FIRE DEPT
2018
ALLENDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT
2018
FT. GORDON FIRE DEPARTMENT
2018
AIKEN PUBLIC SAFETY
2019
COLUMBIA CO
FIRE AND RESCUE
2019
COLUMBIA CO
FIRE AND RESCUE
2020
MCDUFFIE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
2021
SRNS FIRE DEPARTMENT
2021
GA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING DIVISION
2021
N. AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2021
COLUMBIA CO
FIRE AND RESCUE
2022
PLANT VOGTLE
EMS
2022
SRNS FIRE DEPARTMENT
2022
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2022
BARNWELL FIRE DEPARTMENT
2022
COLUMBIA CO FIRE AND RESCUE
2022
STATESBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT
2022
COLUMBIA CO FIRE AND RESCUE
2023
AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
2023
LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
2023
LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
2023
SRNS FIRE DEPARTMENT
2023
SUGARHILL FIRE DEPARTMENT
2023
COBB COUNTY
FIRE AND RESCUE
2023
DEKALB COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
2024
ADRIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
2024
CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
2024
HUDLOW FIRE DEPARTMENT
LEADERSHIP.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PHILLIP WEATHERS
President/CEO
Phillip is a career firefighter who has worked for multiple jurisdictions throughout the CSRA. He’s been a firefighter for 23 years working for Augusta Fire, Columbia County Fire Rescue and currently serving with the Savannah River Site Fire Department (SRSFD). With the help of his fellow SRSFD firefighters, Phillip founded Fire K 5K, Inc. in 2013. In addition to his leadership role, he is the event coordinator for the annual FireK 5K run.
TONY SMILEY
Vice President
Tony is a founding member of FireK and has proudly served the Savannah River Site Fire Department for the last 32 years. His function on the board is to oversee the voting process. His passion for fitness and in particular, running has been an inspiration to his fellow firefighters for years. In his free time, Tony also works for the Richmond County Marshal’s department and Lowe’s where he has been employed for 18 years! Tony has served on numerous civic boards and community projects, including the YMCA of South Augusta.
KELLY J. WEATHERS
Secretary/CFO
Kelly is the wife of firefighter Phillip Weathers. She is in charge of all records and documentation for FireK and distributes that information in accordance with the needs of the organization. Besides her FireK duties, Kelly is the Chief Assistant to the District Attorney for the middle circuit of Georgia. She has served the state of Georgia as a prosecutor for 12 years. In Kelly’s free time, she enjoys gardening and animal rescue.
MICHAEL "ROCKY" BLESSING
Nominations Chair
Rocky is a firefighter with Savannah River Fire Department. Before coming to SRSFD, he served with Columbia County Fire Rescue alongside his brother and father who are also firefighters. His duties with FireK include overseeing the nomination process and selection of recipients for FireK funds. Rocky splits his spare time between his successful construction business, Blessing Construction, and his children’s sporting events where he often coaches.
OTHER DIRECTORS
Roles of our other directors in the annual 5K run.
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Rey Ruiz - Children’s Events
Ken Burrows and Evan Davis - Course Directors
Amy Ingram - Registration Director
Dwayne Sanford - Setup and Breakdown
Andi Sinclair - Photography