Supporting Families of Fallen Firefighters and Those Displaced by Fire

Supporting families of fallen firefighters is a cause that resonates with many of our team members, some of whom have lost friends or family in the line of duty, or are former firefighters or current volunteer firefighters themselves. And, as the leading provider of disaster remediation and restoration services through our Paul Davis, Super Restoration, FirstOnSite and Interstate Restoration platforms, we are deeply experienced in assisting those during times of crisis. We demonstrate our commitment to these causes, not only during our work hours, but also during our free time.

Throughout the year, many events are held to build awareness and funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The mission of NFFF is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, to provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and to work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.

Teeing Up to Support Fallen Firefighters

This past July, Paul Davis partnered with FirstService Residential for its first annual golf tournament in Northern Virginia. The event was a sell out, attracting 130 golfers, and according to the General Manager of the South Riding Golf Club, it was the most successful first-time tournament he’s ever seen.

Scott Brooks, emergency recovery coordinator at Paul Davis, was part of the event planning team, along with FirstService Residential’s Ken Martin and Mark Bailey. He attributes the success of the event to the partnership and support provided by FirstService sister companies. In addition to FirstService Residential, Certa Pro Painters and American Pools supported the event either through sponsorships or as participants. While the final numbers are still being tallied, event organizers expect to net more than $30,000 for the NFFF.

Honoring Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice on 9/11

Every fall, groups throughout the United States host 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs. During these events, participants walk the equivalent of the 110 flights of stairs first responders climbed on that fateful day.

FirstService Residential’s Georgia team coordinates a stair climb each year, and for the second year held it at the Sovereign, a high-rise property in the company’s management portfolio. The event was well attended, with more than 200 registered climbers and hundreds of spectators. Participants included employees of sister company Century Fire.

Other events in support of NFFF include the Paul Davis 9/11 Fallen Heroes Tribute Run / Walk in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Providing Immediate Support to those Displaced by Fire

Texas Firewalkers is a non-profit charitable organization founded by Paul Davis’ Blake “Peewee” Henson which hosts several fundraisers throughout the year to assist families displaced by fires and other disasters, first responder line of duty death and to provide hot meals to communities affected by natural disasters across Texas. Based in Central Texas, the Texas Firewalkers have the ability to deploy statewide to assist those in need and, with its own cooking trailers, is able to serve 5,000 meals a day. Its mission is to provide assistance and support to bridge the gap between the time of the event and when victims are able to receive other aid. The organization provides basic necessities, monetary funding and other support.

In addition to his role as director of business marketing, Blake is a 20-year veteran of the fire department and currently serves as a volunteer firefighter. Ten years ago, Blake endured the total loss of his home in a fire and as a result, understands first hand how difficult it is for those displaced by fire.

The day we spoke with Blake, he was on-scene of a residential fire assisting the homeowner with a number of tasks including getting her car keys replaced after they melted in the fire and also providing her with his “After the Fire Response Guide” which includes helpful information and a checklist of next steps fire victims can take to begin getting their lives back on track.

“I’m not the richest guy, but if you need it, I’ll give it to you,” said Blake. “I’m very lucky to work for Paul Davis and have a supervisor who is supportive of my desire to provide victims’ assistance. And I am proud to work for a company that provides hands-on help to victims to help return their lives to normal following a disaster.”

Texas Firewalkers hosts several fundraising events throughout the year, including a Crawfish Cookoff and a Memorial Stair Climb. Blake was recently recognized for his contributions by Returning the Favor, a Facebook Watch series hosted by Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe, where Mike travels the U.S. in search of people who are giving back to their communities. The organization was awarded $30K by the show’s producers.