From the onset of this project, we knew that we wanted Thirteen Crosses to have a positive and educational impact. While the incident in Mann Gulch was the impetus for a significant shift in the world of wildland firefighting, it did not change the physical and emotional stress that these events have on the firefighters themselves. This is where the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF) comes into play. Our goal with this documentary is not only to tell the story of the lives lost in the Gulch that day, but to help those currently putting their lives on the line to protect our communities. We will do this by having all of Thirteen Crosses’ profits go to WFF to aid them in their work.
The WFF is a nonprofit organization that supports families of firefighters who have been injured or killed while battling wildland fires. The organization was founded in 1994 by a group of volunteers who recognized the need for assistance to these families.
The WFF offers a range of services to families. Examples include financial assistance for immediate needs such as travel expenses, lodging, and meals, as well as longer-term support such as educational assistance for children and counseling services. The organization also operates a scholarship program that provides funding for children of firefighters who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
In addition to supporting families, the WFF also works to promote awareness of the risks and challenges faced by wildland firefighters. It advocates for better safety equipment and training and supports research into improved firefighting techniques and strategies.
Overall, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the families of firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect communities and natural resources from the devastation of wildfires. Through its various programs and initiatives, the organization helps to ensure that firefighter sacrifices are recognized and honored and that their loved ones receive the support they need during difficult times.
Thirteen Crosses hopes to financially aid the Wildland Firefighter Foundation through the profits
from the documentary. We are also proud to align with WWF’s important work by telling the
story of the smokejumpers who died on a hillside in Montana and placing the story in the historical
and current context. We want to nurture and amplify the voices of those who willingly protect
our communities, in difficult and dangerous circumstances.