Over time, the need for something intentional became clear.

After more than 30 years in the fire service, my husband, Matthew Thierfelder retired in February 2025 as a Battalion Chief with the Vancouver Washington Fire Department. Over the last decade of his career, I increasingly felt the quiet isolation that can come with loving and supporting a first responder. The work carries complexity — long shifts, exposure to trauma, public responsibility, and an unspoken expectation of strength. In protecting reputation and pride, families often navigate these realities privately, without guidance, resources, or a clear path toward support.

In 2023, our family began a more intentional mental health and wellness journey, including exploring alternative trauma-informed treatments. As we sought out workshops and training opportunities to better understand how to support one another, it became clear that families often lack structured spaces for connection, education, and resilience-building.

In the fall of 2025, during a training focused on Resilience, I was encouraged to consider building a local peer support network that could work alongside the Washington State Council of Firefighters during and after critical incidents. That conversation led to learning from women in the Wenatchee Valley who had created a nonprofit structure to provide education, resources, and community support in a sustainable way.

It became clear that building something structured and community-informed was the most responsible way forward.

Fire Service Family Foundation exists to ensure that spouses, partners, and families have access to connection, education, and practical support — and that no family feels alone while navigating the realities of fire service life. Even in retirement.

Our Board of Directors