“To be a resource for the needs of Police, Fire, and EMS personnel and their families in dealing with crisis or catastrophes not covered by insurance or employing agencies and/or workers compensation funds.”
Our Story
In 2006, the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police began working on a Foundation to assist public safety first responders. Depending on how a non-profit group is organized and then registered, with the Internal Revenue Service, dictates what they can and cannot do with the organization’s funds. The New Hampshire Police, Fire, & EMS Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. Over the past fourteen years, the foundation has assisted a number of public safety responders and their families. The foundation has provided over $184,000 to New Hampshire’s public safety first responders and their families. There are fifteen directors who oversee the foundation. The board is made up of citizens, judges, police chiefs, a fire chief, and an emergency medical technician.
A firefighter’s home was completely destroyed by fire leaving himself and his family homeless. The foundation contributed $1,000.00 dollars to help the family get back on their feet.
One police officer’s wife was awaiting a heart transplant and was on a mechanical heart. Due to the rural area they needed a generator installed at the residence so that she could go home. The community had done a number of fund raisers when the circumstances were brought to the foundation’s attention. The board approved the funds to complete the purchase and installation of the generator.
A 29 year old EMT, with a pregnant wife, had suffered three heart attacks in the last two months. Doctors have diagnosed him with a prolapsed mitral valve or “sticky valve”. He was placed on a monitor and has not been able to return to work. The foundation was contacted regarding their hardship and contributed $1,000.00 to assist with their bills.
A dispatcher for a local department has been diagnosed with a serious lung disease. She had been a police officer, is married to a firefighter, and has two children. Due to mounting hospital bills, they lost their home and were about to lose their vehicle. The foundation was able to assist the family with their bills.
Recently, a four year old boy was put down for a nap. When his dad went to wake the child he was found unresponsive. The dad, a police officer, attempted to resuscitate the boy and called 911. The 911 call was rerouted to the local dispatch center where the little boy’s mother (another police officer) was working as she is eight months pregnant. She heard the call and ran from the station tripping and falling outside. Other officers assisted her and she was taken to the hospital. Both she and her baby are fine. The little boy did not survive. The foundation contacted a local official who was attempting to raise funds to assist the young couple with the expense of the funeral services. The foundation was able to assist with a $2,000.00 contribution.
Board Of Directors
James Valiquet
Director/Chairman
Newbury, NH
Karen Baillargeon
Director/Treasurer
Brentwood, NH
Michael Baillargeon
Director/Secretary
Brentwood, NH
Alan Piroso
Director
Warner, NH
Hon. Gerard J. Boyle
Director
Plymouth, NH
Gary Stevens
Director
Sandbornville, NH
Pam Drewniak
Director
Newbury, NH
Deborah Pendergast
Director
New Hampshire Fire Academy
Kathy Doolan
Director
Georges Mills, NH
Colin Nelson
Director
Newbury, NH
Mark E. Klose
Director
Bedford, NH
Douglas Moorhead
Director
Campton, NH
Christopher Olsen
Director
Rochester, NH
Mary Conroy
Director
Manchester, NH
J. William Degnan
Director
New London, NH