Established by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, the Burn Fund is dedicated to supporting burn survivors throughout their recovery every step of the way. From enhancing survivor care at BC’s trauma hospitals to providing emotional support for survivors of all ages, the Burn Fund is there. 

More than 4,000 professional fire fighters from 53 communities in BC and the Yukon champion the Burn Fund’s vision. They dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors and increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn prevention. The Burn Fund supports these fire fighters through mental health and resilience-building programs, as well as through the Home Away Program. A home away from home located on the second floor of the Burn Fund Centre, the Home Away Program features eight suites with common amenities available to burn survivors and fire fighters while undergoing medical treatment in Vancouver.

Fire fighters have always cared deeply for their communities and for those they rescue. After decades of visiting patients in the Burn Unit, fire fighters saw a great need for funding to enhance burn care and treatment. In 1978, Captain Alex Blake of the Coquitlam Fire Fighters’ Local 1782 and Dr. Charles Snelling of Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), together with the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, established the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. Together, they set out to ensure that burn survivors have the best chance at recovery.  

Since that first cheque was presented by the Burn Fund to Vancouver General Hospital’s Burn Unit, more than $5 million has been raised to support burn survivor care at major trauma hospitals including VGH, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Prince George, and BC Children’s Hospital. The Burn Fund’s mission has grown to support the burn survivor community through resilience-building programs, support services, and burn prevention education and promotion.