WASHINGTON – Firefighters from around the country are stepping up to help the families of the 10 firefighters killed in the massive fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will provide both short and long-term resources for the families, says foundation Director Ron Siarnicki.
“We will help them deal with things like home repairs, and help them understand some of the elements of financial planning. Because often times, when a death occurs, the primary bread winner for the family is gone,” Siarnicki says.
The Foundation also provides scholarships for firefighters’ children and help pay for funeral expenses.
Siarnicki, who is the former fire chief for Prince George’s County, is in West this week. He says the support is even more crucial in West because the town also lost one of its major employers — the fertilizer plant.
Five other people were killed in last week’s explosion.
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