Florian Fund
The Florian Fund was established by the Firefighters Charity Alliance in 2017.
The Charity has been helping the community since 2012 and added the Florian Fund to start helping local Firefighters in dire emergency situations.
The Florian Fund has been established to help local firefighters with major medical expenses such as out of pocket expenses for cancer treatments, treatments for PTSD, and immediate help when an extreme personal emergency arises. This fund helps during the gap between when the emergency happens and a GoFundMe or a fundraiser can be established.
The Firefighters Charity board works to monitor the requests quickly based on funds available and with a quick turn around time to help the firefighter or his family.
The Florian Fund is comprised of donations and fund raised monies from the Firefighter Charity Aliliance. All monies raised stay HERE to help firefighters on a LOCAL level.
Our Florian Fund has helped dozens of local Central Florida Firefighters during critical crisises. Here are a few of their stories.
Chief Dan Miller suffered sudden cardiac arrest in 2019 while working as a Battalion Chief for Lake County. The Florian Fund made it possible immediately to take care of his family to provide meals and lodging near the hospital during his recovery period. Chief Miller is back to full health and back working and fullfilling his dream as the Fire Chief of Suwannee County.
Firefighter Carsten Keifer from Tavares Fire Department was attacked and severly injured by an alligator during a hunting outing in Central Florida in 2019 and almost lost his arm. We were able to help raise funds to get him through his out of work period and help with medical bills. Carsten is back to work today.
Firefighter Jen Roland suffered a paralyzing medical issue that ended her career as a firefighter for Lake County Fire Rescue. Our Florian Fund was able to contribute to help with her medical bills and recovery during this long process. She is still in rehabilitation and growing stronger every day.
Firefighter Blake Kocielko had just begun his career as a firefighter for Lake County Fire Rescue in 2022.
Blake was diagnosed with brain cancer and was put out of work. Our Florian Fund was able to contribute to help with his medical bills and surgery expenses. Blake is still working his way through the rehabilitation process.
The Florian Fund has helped dozens of local firefighters and their families through major crisis since it was established in 2017. A few more examples are listed below.
2024 - Assisted a local firefighter with medical expenses while fighting neck cancer
2023 - Assisted a local wildland firefighter with medical expenses while suffering from a brain tumor and seizures
2022 - Assisted an Apopka firefighter's family after his death on duty
2018 - Assisted a local firefighter with medical expense while battling cancer
(Pre-fund established)
2014 - Assisted a local firefighters family with medical bills when their 9 year old was diagnosed with leukemia