Actor-comedian Denis Leary has devised an unconventional fundraising method for his Leary Firefighters Foundation, moving beyond typical charity golf tournaments or auctions. Instead, he created the "Firefighter for a Day" event, allowing civilians to experience FDNY training firsthand.
Unique Fundraising Initiative
Leary, currently starring in the Fox comedy "Going Dutch" and best known as the voice of Diego in the "Ice Age" films, teamed up with the Fire Department of New York and The FDNY Foundation. The event, held in honour of International Firefighters Day on May 4, has been running annually since 2016. It is the only day each year when the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island in New York City opens its doors to non-firefighters, offering a rare, hands-on opportunity to experience emergency response training.
"It was exciting from the get-go," Leary told The Associated Press. "Now, 10 years in, it just gets better and better every year. It’s truly amazing."
Participants Train Alongside Firefighters
During the event, participants train with actual firefighters, rushing into burning buildings, carrying fire hoses to extinguish flames, searching for survivors, and rappelling down buildings to safety. Leary emphasised that participants are not forced into any activity, but once they witness the teamwork and expertise, they often take on more than anticipated.
He recalled how actress Julianna Margulies, known for "The Good Wife," initially planned to be a coach but ended up fully participating. "Maybe two hours later, I went over by the high-rise simulator and she was coming out in full bunker gear and she’s like, ‘I just rappelled down the side of the building!’" Leary said. "And I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ She’s like, ‘I know! I overcame all my fears.’"
Funds Supporting Fire Departments Nationwide
The event attracts actors, athletes, and corporations, raising significant funds for the foundation. David Morkal, retired FDNY battalion chief and a board member of the Leary Firefighters Foundation, noted the growth in grants. "When we started this 10 years ago we were giving out maybe $200,000 in grants a year and now we’re giving out $850,000," he said, adding the foundation hopes to reach $1 million in grants this year. "There are volunteer fire departments out there that are fighting for every $100 they can get."
The criteria for grants have remained consistent since Leary founded the foundation in 2000, following a tragic fire in Worcester, Massachusetts, that killed six firefighters, including Leary’s cousin and a childhood friend. "His mission is to provide them with all the equipment and training that (firefighters) need to walk away from a fire after it’s out and go home to their families," Morkal said.
John Tyson, assistant fire chief at the Talladega Fire Department in Alabama, said the forcible entry trainer received from Leary’s foundation is used almost daily. The equipment helps firefighters breach locked doors quickly, improving emergency response. However, such items often fall low on the department’s tight budget. "We’re a small department in rural Alabama," Tyson said, expressing gratitude for the foundation’s support. "It’s touching to me that someone who has achieved the success he has still wants to give back."
Filling Budget Shortfalls
International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward A. Kelly remarked that ideally, the foundation wouldn't be necessary if fire departments received adequate funding. "When you think about the core role of government, first and foremost, it is to protect its citizens and that’s what fire departments do every day," Kelly said. "We have a problem where fire departments in the United States are on budgets where they’re competing with a multitude of other demands on city government... That’s a flawed system."
Kelly noted that Leary’s foundation fills a "giant void" created by these budget shortfalls, with most fire departments in the country having received equipment from the foundation over its 26 years. "We owe a great debt of gratitude to Denis and to all the people that have helped support the Leary Foundation," he said. "Whatever will fill the gap that will prevent the next tragedy is well worth the investment."
Leary had hoped the federal government would step in after the 9/11 attacks, but realised that wouldn’t happen. "There was a brief moment about six months later when we thought, ‘Is the government gonna step in?’" he said. "It was the tiniest glimpse of hope but we realized, ‘No, of course not.’ But that’s OK. I love doing this."
Leary credits his friend, Boston Bruins hockey great Cam Neely, for inspiring his philanthropic efforts. "He was the first person I saw where I thought, ‘Wow, somebody famous can really make a difference,’" Leary said. "So by the time I had to do something, I had a good example of what you can use fame for."
