WORCESTER — The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) presented a $5,000 donation to Fisher House of Boston yesterday during the first day of their Professional Development Conference at the DCU Center in Worcester.
The check, which was given to Fisher House of Boston Executive Director Jennifer DeLuca, was donated by FCAM in honor of keynote speaker and former White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly and conference sponsor Eversource Energy.
Fisher House of Boston provides free lodging to the families of military members who are receiving medical treatment in Boston hospitals.
“We believe that a military member who raises his hand and says that he will serve his country, that his family is drafted along with him that very minute. So, here in Boston we take care of the entire family,” DeLuca said during the conference. “I just can’t tell you what this donation means. Because I know I get to cover more families that are coming here to Boston. So, with my hand on my heart, I thank all of you for supporting us and supporting our United States military.”
FCAM President James Vuona said the donation was one of the highlights of the year for their organization.
“It’s truly an honor to be able to support such a wonderful cause and mission. Many people in the fire service have served in the military, including several of the chiefs and those in attendance at the conference,” Vuona said. “To be able to kick off our three-day conference with Gen. Kelly’s keynote remarks and then the donation really means a lot to us.”
DeLuca was joined on stage by Brandon Laird, a Marine veteran who stayed at Fisher House of Boston for months while he was having surgical reconstruction on his face. During his stay there, Gen. Kelly came to visit and met Laird for the first time. Tuesday provided an opportunity for the two to meet again and catch up as fellow Marines.
“To say the least, they (Fisher House of Boston) have taken tremendous care of that young man. It’s just miraculous his recovery,” Gen. Kelly said of Laird. “It was wonderful seeing him again. It’s a Marine thing. We’re going to talk the same language and have the same attitudes. He’s a guy that’s endured an awful lot, and he’s a good man and it was great to see him.”
The FCAM Professional Develop Conference is being held from Feb. 28 to March 2 at the DCU Center in Worcester. The conference is the premier professional development and training conference for fire chiefs in Massachusetts and features several distinguished speakers and industry experts.
About Fisher House Boston
Fisher House Boston (FHB) eases the burden on military members (active, veteran, and retired) and their families during illness or injury by providing a home away from home; where families can stay comfortably at no cost to them while a loved one is receiving treatment inpatient, or 4+ days a week, at any Boston-area medical center. FHB partners with numerous hotels in Boston located within walking distance to each hospital. Families are placed in these hotels for as long as they need, so long as their loved one is inpatient or having treatment numerous times a week. FHB also has three apartments for families that are expected to be in Boston long term, greater than one month. FHB is in contact with each patient’s case management team frequently to maintain continuous verification of eligibility, needs, and to best facilitate discharge home once ready.
About the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts
The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) is an organization designed to further the professional advancement of the fire service and assist state Chiefs in fulfilling their responsibilities. Established in 1893, the association serves as the recognized Fire Chiefs’ organization for purposes of exchanging ideas, knowledge and experience in the areas of prevention, extinguishment and safety of life and property from fire. FCAM also works to promote efficient fire administration in the towns and cities throughout Massachusetts.
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