Embedded Files
Over time, the need for something intentional became clear.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Our Board of Directors
Kathrine Thierfelder
Kathrine Thierfelder
Founder
Founder
Kara Weaver
Kara Weaver
Director
Director
Kara is a proud board member of the Fire Service Family Foundation, where she is dedicated to supporting and giving back to the fire service community. With a deep personal connection to the mission, Kara’s husband has served as a firefighter for 29 years, giving her firsthand insight into the sacrifices and strength of fire service families. Her passion for the foundation is rooted in a genuine desire to support those who serve, as well as the families who stand beside them.
Kara brings both heart and perspective to her role, committed to making a meaningful impact and helping ensure that fire service families feel supported, valued, and never alone.
Ali Bigelow
Ali Bigelow
Director
Director
Dr. Alicia Bigelow is a naturopathic physician, with a focus on integrative mental health. She completed a two-year family practice residency and later served as academic and clinical faculty at NUNM for over 15 years. In her two decades of patient care, she has witnessed the intimate connection between mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.
Her work is rooted in care and compassion, providing ketamine and psilocybin facilitation (Oregon licensed), work that enhances access to inner guidance, along with thoughtful, grounded integration support. She considers her work with firefighters and their families to be an immense honor and is grateful to serve on the FSFF Board.
Paige Bombardier
Paige Bombardier
Secretary
Secretary
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