By Brittany Trudeau | Program Manager
Established in 2014, the California Fire Foundation's Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency program was established to provide immediate, short term relief to victims of fire and other natural disaster. By partnering with fire departments throughout the state of California, the Foundation provides gift cards to front-line firefighters who are able to distribute them in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and assist the victims within the first 24 hours. SAVE cards can be used to purchase food, clothing, medicine, lodging, and other necessities in a time when people are left with little more than the clothes on their backs. Since its inception, the SAVE program has assisted over 56,000 victims of fire and other natural disaster.
When the program was first established, each SAVE card was worth $100 and the program's ongoing goal was to increase the value of those cards when enough funds had been raised. During the Camp, Hill, and Woolsey Fires an influx of donations provided the funding necessary to increase the value of the cards distributed for those incidents to $250, and over $2.5 million was given through the SAVE program to individuals and families who had lost everything to wildfire. The response to the increased value of these cards showed the impact of the additional funding, and following the wildfires the Foundation's goal for the program was to increase the value of all cards permanently.
Throughout 2019, the Foundation has worked with funders and the SAVE program's card provider to implement the program-wide increase in all participating departments. Foundation staff has contacted all 84 fire departments throughout California to assist them with the card increase process and provide training and program updates when necessary. The replacement program is nearly complete with the majority of departments having been provided $250 cards, and reports are already coming in from those departments on the impact that the increased value is having in their communities.
Following the card value increase, the Foundation's next goal for the program is to increase its scope to as many fire departments and citizens of California as possible. With 88 departments currently participating, the Foundation aims to expand to 100 departments by the end of the year and beyond. This is made possible through the donations and support that the program receives, and allows for victims of fire and natural disaster to begin the rebuilding process with extra assistance when they need it most.
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