Helping the New Jersey FMBA Support First Responders on Every Level

As firefighters, our job is to look out for everyone else, to make sure they are safe and protected and to be there when emergencies arise. 

That’s why we appreciate it even more when there are people and organizations looking after us. So the Fire Dept. Coffee Foundation is honored to contribute $1,000 to the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association.

The NJFMBA is a passionate advocate for firefighters, EMTs and dispatchers, and a major part of their mission is to help protect the health and safety of first responders.

Our contribution will specifically support the Mark Virag Memorial Cancer Fund, created to honor the NJFMBA’s former sergeant at arms, who lost his battle with cancer in 2015. The fund will be used to provide needed financial support to those diagnosed with cancer to help them and their families through their own fights against cancer.

Beyond working for firefighters at local, state and federal levels, the NJFMBA also offers a vast range of resources to help individuals and families dealing with the physical and emotional effects that such a demanding career can create. The NJFMBA offers Critical Incident Stress Management to help prevent or mitigate the post-traumatic stress reactions that can be caused by on-the-job experiences.

The organization also offers a peer assistance program that helps first responders find the necessary help and intervention to deal with issues like substance abuse, eating disorders, smoking, gambling and other everyday stress issues.

And the NJFMBA organizes charitable events, including its annual Fallen Heroes 5K Memorial Run, to support important causes that benefit first responders in need, as well as their families. The organization also raises funds for individuals in need and supports scholarship programs that honor fallen firefighters and help provide for the education of first responders’ family members.

Organizations like the NJFMBA represent the true heart and sense of community that draws so many of us into the fire service, and we are honored to help support them in their many important efforts.