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Our Team Amy C. Mauro, Esq. Executive Director Amy C. Mauro, Esq. is an accomplished and transformative leader who has worked on critical policy issues and strategic organizational change for twenty-five years, in both District and federal agencies and in three branches of government. Read More Chuck Bean Board Member Chuck Bean was Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments from 2012 through early 2023. He is an executive and civic leader with more than 30 years of experience in government, nonprofits and philanthropy. Read More Milton Douglas Board Member Milton Douglas retired from the DC Fire & EMS Department in 2022, after 35 years of service, at the rank of Assistant Fire Chief of Technical Services. Read More Kate Fogle Archivist Kate Fogle manages the Foundation's Virtual Exhibit, the History of the DC Fire and EMS Department in Photos, Videos, and Oral Histories, and supports the Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum on behalf of the Foundation. Read More Olaf "Pete" Pederson Board Member Olaf P. “Pete” Pedersen, III has served on the Foundation's Board of Directors since its early days of incorporation and most recently took a lead role in the Foundation's DC Firefighters Memorial Helmet Project. Read More Tommy Wells Board Member Tommy Wells is a long-time DC resident, attorney, and public servant. Read More John A. Donnelly, Sr. Fire & EMS Chief and Honorary Co-Chair, ex officio Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr. was nominated by Mayor Muriel Bowser on September 4, 2020 to lead the 2,200 member DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. He was confirmed by the Council of the District of Columbia on December 15, 2020. Read More Larissa Bergin Board Secretary Larissa Bergin is a Partner at Jones Day. Her practice addresses the antitrust concerns arising from M&A matters, joint ventures, federal investigations, and commercial practices. Read More Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA Board Member Lisa Fitzpatrick is Founder and CEO of Grapevine Health, a digital health media company whose mission is to build trust and improve patient engagement among Medicaid patients through delivering culturally appropriate and relatable health information. Read More Carrie Kohns Board Member Carrie Kohns is the founder and CEO of strategic communications consulting firm, K&K Group, where she has been guiding political, corporate and nonprofit clients since 2018. She has more than two decades of experience in political strategy, policy development and communications management. Read More Ronald Siarnicki Board Member Ronald Siarnicki spent 24 years in the fire service as a volunteer and professional firefighter before retiring and then serving as Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for 22 years. Read More Balchander Jayaraman Board Co-Chair Balchander Jayaraman is a recognized leader with over 18 years of emergency preparedness experience that includes evacuation and response plan development, Continuity of Operations planning, resilience assessment, HSEEP compliant exercise and scenario design and training, evacuation map creation, and program and project management. He is an effective consensus builder who has successfully worked with business leaders, government officials, advocacy groups, and community based organizations to generate support for innovative approaches to emergency preparedness planning. Read More Steve Blivess Board Treasurer Steve Blivess is Chief Legal Counsel for Frederick County Public Schools. Blivess has spent the past 20 years as an attorney and labor relations professional with experience in litigation, as counsel to government executives, Fortune 500 corporations, family-owned businesses and individuals. Read More David Hoagland President, Local 36 of the IAFF and Board Member David Hoagland is President of Local 36 of the International Associated of Fire Fighters, representing over 2,000 members of the DC Fire & EMS Department. He is currently a Lieutenant and was most recently assigned to Engine 9 in the Adams Morgan/U Street neighborhood. Read More Renee McPhatter Board Member Renee McPhatter is proud Ward 7 resident who has lived in the District of Columbia for over 30 years. She is Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations at George Washington University. Read More John Sollers Board Member John Sollers retired from the DC Fire & EMS Department in 2021 at the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. During his 35 years with the Department, he specialized in special operations, incident command and response to technical rescue and hazardous materials incidents, logistics and facilities, fleet maintenance, program management, emergency planning, operational readiness, and instructing and training and motivating team members. Read More

Foundation In The Media Part of the Foundation's mission is to educate the community about the life-saving mission of the DC Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department. These stories do that and more, bringing you closer to the every day lives of our first responders and the Foundation that supports them. Read Executive Director Amy C. Mauro, Esq.'s Testimony advocating that capital funds for a new Training Academy campus and fleet maintenance facility stay in the Department's FY 26 budget. Fire Department Adviser Ignited Change Behind the Scenes Read this Washington Post profile of Foundation Executive Director Amy Mauro and learn how her eight years as Department Chief of Staff watching first responders save lives with more resources motivated her to revive and grow the Foundation. Photo Credit: Clarence Williams, Washington Post Alert Medic 1 Podcast: Managing Crisis: Leadership Pearls with Amy Mauro, Organizational Change Consultant and Executive Director, DC Fire & EMS Foundation Listen to this episode of the Alert Medic 1 podcast and hear about the innovative work of the DC Fire & EMS Department and the journey that its senior leaders and rank and file personnel took to get there. Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation Celebrate Organization’s 50th Anniversary with $50,000 Donation to the DC Fire & EMS Foundation Funding also Benefits Nine Other Community Partners Whose Efforts Touch the Region’s Military, Youth Hockey, Hockey Fights Cancer/Health and Wellness and First Responder Communities, including the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation Executive Director Amy Mauro with MSE Foundation Executive Director Liz Pace, MSE CEO Ted Leonsis, and other grantees Watch Executive Director Amy C. Mauro's Overbeck Lecture: Evolution of DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services - Through the Decades Focusing on Capitol Hill Fires. Holiday Fire Safety Tips + The 2025 Firehouse Decorating Contest Winner! Read this Washington Post article about the Foundation's virtual exhibit, A History of the DC Fire and EMS Department in Photos, Videos, and Oral Histories (at https://www.dcfireemshistory.org/). (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) Tears Flow at a Poignant Figure Skating Event in Washington, DC (Nick Wass/AP Photo) How a Therapy Dog Helps First Responders After Potomac Crash Tragedy Washingtonian Magazine: Figure Skating Event to Honor Lives Lost in DCA Plane Crash "Legacy on Ice," March 2 at Capital One Arena, will also pay tribute to the first responders. John Walton, Voice of the Caps, Visits Engine 26 Listen to this episode of Caps This Morning with John Walton , where John shares his perspective on the importance of the work of the Foundation, as well as his time spent with members of Engine 26 and Truck 15 in Brookland. Laughter Saves Lives Watch Foundation Executive Director Amy Mauro talk to retired FDNY Firefighter John Larocchia of Laughter Saves Lives about why she and the Board of Directors revived the Foundation in May 2023. Laughter Saves Lives honors Larocchia's FDNY colleagues who were killed on 9/11. WTOP Story on Ambulance Wait Times at Hospitals What are hospital drop times and why should you care? Find out from this story , which explains that decreasing hospital drop times would increase the level and availability of life-saving resources in DC neighborhoods.

< Back Ronald Siarnicki Board Member Ron began his career as a firefighter with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department in 1978 and, over 24 years, progressed through the ranks to Chief of the Department. In this position, he served as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the fire, rescue and emergency medical services of Prince George’s County, Maryland. While with the Department, he also served on the Joint Fire and Police Pension Board for four years. Prior to joining the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Monessen Volunteer Fire Department, Hose House #2 , in western Pennsylvania. In doing so, he followed a family tradition-both his father and grandfather were volunteer firefighters. In July 2001, he retired from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department to take the position of Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). In recognition of his outstanding leadership with the NFFF and the fire service as a whole, he has been recognized by various groups and organizations to include: The Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award, Alan Brunacini Fire Services Executive Safety Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs’ Presidents Award of Distinction, University of Maryland, University College Distinguished Alumnus, American Burn Association’s Moncrief Award and the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Silver Medal of Valor. A strong proponent of higher education, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and served as a UMUC faculty member for the Fire Science Curriculum.

< Back Carrie Kohns Board Member Carrie’s career includes notable roles serving prominent political figures. Most recently, Carrie served as Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications to Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., where she played a key role in shaping the mayor's messaging and media strategy. For seven years, she was the Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Karen Bass, now Mayor of Los Angeles, where she managed communications, policy and strategic initiatives to steer Bass’ agenda on the national stage. Prior to this, Carrie served as Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Mayor Adrian Fenty in Washington, D.C. Her leadership in these high-pressure environments allowed her to shape major public policy and communications strategies. Previously, Carrie served as the Washington Director and Communications Director for Rep. Loretta Sanchez, running her Capitol Hill operation, handling media relations and legislative initiatives. Carrie grew up in Washington, DC and lives in Ward 4 with her husband, a Metropolitan Police Department Officer, and her son.

< Back Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA Board Member Lisa is a board-certified infectious diseases physician and a medical epidemiologist. She has experience serving as a member of the Center for Disease Control’s elite Epidemic Intelligence Service, as a foreign diplomat in the Caribbean, as an academic researcher, and as the former chief medical officer for the DC Medicaid program. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine/ National Academy of Sciences Roundtable on Health Literacy and an Aspen Institute Health Innovator Fellow. Lisa has lived and worked throughout the District of Columbia, including in Ward 8.

Cazo's K-9s Cazo was one of the Department's first K-9s and received a bronze bar and gold & silver medals for his service. The Department has dogs for employee peer support (Avery, Brew, Levi, Luna, Sonny), search and rescue (Kimber, Leni, Margo and Seamus), and fire investigations (Blondie, Bandel). Dozen and Roo are retired. The DC Fire & EMS Foundation supports the unbudgeted needs of these four legged members of the Department. Luna Avery Levi Cazo Brew Kimber Cazo, Roo, Dozen Blondie Sonny Leni Margo Seamus Roo and Bandel

Check out our Virtual Exhibit: The History of the DC Fire and EMS Department in Photos, Videos, and Oral Histories www.dcfireemshistory.org A pa rtnership between and the Friendship Fire Association A partnership between the DC Fire & EMS Foundation and Friendship Fire Association

DC Fire & EMS is one of the most diverse fire and EMS Departments in the nation, with much higher percentages of women and African Americans than most departments. We are proud of our programs that empower women to lead and support the professional development of DC residents. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion DC Fire & EMS is one of the most diverse fire departments in the nation. The uniformed workforce is 48% African American, 33% DC residents (up from 27% in 2015), and 13% women (up from 11% in 2015). In contrast, nationally, 5% of firefighters are women and 8% are African American. Thank you from Camp Spark! In July 2024, the DC Fire & EMS Foundation co-sponsored Camp Spark, a two-day summer camp for girls aged 12 to 17 years old who are interested in becoming firefighters and EMS providers. This camp is part of the DC Fire & EMS Department's 30 by 30 goal -- increasing the Department's percentage of women in uniform to 30% by 2030. One of the Foundation's priorities is supporting the Department's workforce development and diversity. Hear from Camp Spark campers in this short video , followed by a thank you letter to the Foundation from the Department's Women's Advisory Council: Since 2015, DC Fire & EMS has made a concerted effort to hire and promote more women and DC residents, through programs like Empowering Women to Lead, the Women's Advisory Council , the Diversity Advisory Council, improving recruitment funding and staffing , and a new and more accessible entrance exam process . There are now women at every uniformed supervisor rank except assistant fire chief and fire chief. The Department provides diversity training to all employees and has a Racial Equity Action Plan.

Photo by Matt Ackland, Fox5 A National Leader in Emergency Medical Services DC Fire & EMS is the 3rd largest health care provider in DC. Their employees respond to 400 to 500 medical calls for service per day. These calls range from cardiac arrests, strokes, heart attacks, and traumatic injuries to cold viruses, trips and falls, and mental health emergencies. Prepared for All Hazards All DC Fire & EMS first responders are medically trained as nationally registered Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or paramedics. That’s why you often see fire trucks responding to medical calls. Our paramedics administer life saving medications and other interventions, including intubation and needle decompression. 21 of 33 engine companies are paramedic engine companies, which means that if you are having a life-threatening emergency, you can have a paramedic and team of EMTs at your door in 4 to 6 minutes who will start treatment while the ambulance is on the way. Photo by Eliot Goodman @DCFIREBYE Our Innovations DC Fire & EMS is national leader in diverting non-emergency injuries and illnesses from EMS and hospital systems to primary care with its 2018 launch of the Right Care, Right Now Nurse Triage Line . In 2023, the Department partnered with the Department of Behavioral Health to open the DC Stabilization Center to better care for patients with substance abuse disorder. In 2024, Washington, DC became the largest city to give blood transfusions in the field to trauma and other patients in danger of bleeding to death, helping to drive the city's homicide rate down. DC Fire & EMS is on the front lines of the nation’s health care crisis – and they are part of the solution. Hands on Hearts The Department's Hands on Hearts program has trained over 100,000 people in hands only CPR. An increase in bystander CPR has contributed to the District of Columbia's improved cardiac arrest survival rate since 2015.

Last Run of the Horses 100th Anniversary BACKGROUND: One hundred years ago, on June 15, 1925, the DC Fire Department held a ceremonial Last Run of the Horses. The purpose of the event was to commemorate the service of the great fire horses, who were no longer needed due to the advent of motorized fire apparatus. EVENT DETAILS: On June 15, 2025 at 1 p.m. , the DC Fire and EMS Department , in partnership with the Friendship Fire Association and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation, re-enacted the historic ceremonial Last Run of the Horses, using a cosmetically preserved 1905 American LaFrance horse-drawn steam fire engine. ROUTE: The horse-drawn engine ran from the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center at 635 North Carolina Ave, SE, to Lincoln Park, where we gathered for a small community reception immediately following the procession. WHAT WAS SPECIAL: Hundreds of neighbors, active and retired firefighters and their families, and other supporters lined the streets and gathered at Lincoln Park to observe the procession. It was a joyful day on Capitol Hill! This recap video includes historic film footage of the ceremonial Last Run of the DCFD Horses on June 15, 1925. Reproduced with permission from the UCLA Film and Television Archives. Learn more here. Hundreds gather in DC to commemorate the ceremonial ‘Last Run of the Horses’ Grace Newton, WTOP | grace.newton@wtop.com June 15, 2025, 7:56 PM Hundreds gathered along one D.C. avenue Sunday to commemorate the last time the city’s Fire Department used horse drawn carriages to respond to emergencies ... Sunday’s event, organized by the DC Fire and EMS Foundation along with the Friendship Fire Association , marked the 100th anniversary of the event by holding a reenactment. “They’re (department members) very proud of the long history of the agency,” said Amy Mauro, executive director of DC Fire and EMS Foundation. “How far it’s come over the last 150 years of being in existence ...Today is a really joyful day on Capitol Hill,” Mauro said. “There were a lot of stories going back and forth, you know, from the retired guys, and talking about how D.C. has changed, how it doesn’t look the same, and just reminiscing about their time on the job,” Mazzara said. “So it’s a lot of fun.” Thank you to our sponsors!

DC FIRE & EMS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $442,467 IN GRANT AWARDS FROM LEGACY ON ICE PROCEEDS Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Legacy on Ice event raised funds for the families of those lost in the tragic January 29, 2025 mid-air collision over the Potomac River, first responders, and the US Figure Skating Association Contact: Amy C. Mauro, Esq. 202-297-0599 amy@dcfireemsfoundation.org August 1, 2025 (Washington, DC) – On March 2, 2025, Legacy On Ice brought the figure skating community and thousands of supporters together at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena to honor the 67 lives lost in the January 29th airline tragedy on the Potomac River, as well as the first responders who rushed to the scene. One third of the funds raised by the event will benefit area first responders (the remaining funds benefit the families and the US Figure Skating Association). “The grants being announced today are both a practical measure of gratitude and a symbol of hope and healing for those first responders who worked on this tragic scene to help bring closure to the families of those who lost their lives,” said Chander Jayaraman, Co-Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Government agencies involved in the plane crash response, or their affiliated non-profit organizations, were eligible to apply for the funds. The grant applications were evaluated by a committee of DC Fire & EMS Foundation Board and staff members, and then reviewed and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The evaluations were based on the eligibility of the applicant, the quality and completeness of the application, the anticipated impact of the proposed funding, and the nature and size of the responding agency’s response to the Potomac River tragedy. The Foundation announced the following awards: $142,500 to the DC Police Foundation for the building of Wellness Rooms for Metropolitan Police Department personnel, a Member Wellness Academy for police officers and their families, and the purchase of an mobile wellness application for every police officer on the force; $85,000 to the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for foundational support of mass casualty response operations, enhanced response readiness, and delivery of targeted staff training on trauma-informed family assistance and interagency coordination; $27,554 to the Prince Georges County, MD Fire and EMS Department for a new wireless communication system and equipment for special operations personnel, as well as a train the trainer course on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, an evidence-based therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, for both the county’s fire and police departments; $15,000 to Charles County Dive and Rescue, Inc. to support their purchase of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to assist with dives and rescues; and $172,413 to benefit DC Fire & EMS Department personnel through its affiliated organizations, including: $44,247 to the DC Fire & EMS Foundation in unrestricted funds for Legacy on Ice related program costs; $70,196 to the DC Fire & EMS Foundation for sustaining and expanding trauma support services for DC firefighters and EMS personnel; $25,000 to Food on the Stove to support its Food for Thought initiative $23,000 to the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation to support its Family Services program; and $10,000 to the DCFD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums for supplies and equipment replacements. Amy C. Mauro, Esq., Executive Director of the Foundation, stated that “We are eternally grateful to Ted Leonsis and Monumental Sports & Entertainment for their leadership in this initiative and their understanding of the impact that this work has on these employees and organizations.” ###########

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