Firefighters Light The Way For Local Youth With Service That Doesn’t Stop At The Station

Whether it’s serving as a military officer or stepping up as a first responder, it takes a rare combination of dedication, resilience and heart to take on these roles. And for many of these individuals, that same drive carries over into life beyond the badge.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to spotlight active-duty military members, veterans and first responders who continue to lead, inspire and give back in meaningful ways across their communities.

San Diego firefighter crews are doing much more than responding to emergencies — they’re giving back in a big way. On March 5, 2025, hundreds of firefighters from over 30 local departments participated in the Burn Institute’s annual “Boot Drive,” collecting donations to support burn survivors and fire-safety education in San Diego.

This event, now in its 26th year, sees off-duty firefighters lining busy streets, ringing bells and gathering contributions in iconic red boots. The funds stay local and fuel critical programs, such as “Camp Beyond the Scars,” which offers summer camp experiences for children recovering from burn injuries. As Peter Callstrom, Executive Director of the Burn Institute, shared:

“Thanks to our community’s generosity and our incredible fire departments, our annual Boot Drive was a tremendous success.”

These firefighters don’t just put out fires — they build hope. When they’re not serving on the front lines, many coach youth sports, visit schools and mentor young people. IAFF Local 145, representing San Diego City Fire Fighters, also contributed over $137,000 last year to support community groups like the Burn Institute, Muscular Dystrophy Association and United Cerebral Palsy.

Want to know more? Learn about the Burn Institute or read more about the 26th annual event here.

This content is brought to our community by T-Mobile.