Our Story

In 2016, Project Fire Buddies was born out of the vision of Kurt DeGroot during his service at a fire department in the south suburbs of Chicago. With the unwavering support of his wife, children, Ryan Ballard, and other dedicated members, the organization has grown exponentially, fueling its mission to bring joy and support to children battling critical illnesses.

Our network of departments continues to expand, with new areas and cities joining our ranks each month. Visit our Departments page to see if a fire department near you is part of the thriving Project Fire Buddies community.

At the heart of Project Fire Buddies is building meaningful relationships with the children we support—our Fire Buddies. Members of PFB visit Fire Buddies in their homes, often arriving in a parade of fire vehicles, complete with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

These visits bring smiles and joy, as members deliver gifts for birthdays and holidays, play games, provide tickets to concerts and special events, and attend important milestones in the children’s lives. Beyond creating memories, PFB has also helped families secure much-needed medical supplies and devices. Fire Buddies are even invited to the firehouse to share dinner with the crew, tour the station, and explore the rigs.

In a groundbreaking expansion, Local 2396 Collier County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics became the first chapter in Florida. Local 2396 is part of the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, with firefighter Alexander Ivanisevic taking the lead as Chapter President. Since establishing this chapter, we are proud to have welcomed our first Fire Buddy.

The focus of Local 2396 is to identify other critically ill children within our fire district, foster lasting relationships within the community, assist other fire districts in starting their own chapters, and raise donations to support Fire Buddies nationwide.

For more information, visit: www.projectfirebuddies.org