Friends of Firefighters is a nonprofit that provides members of the FDNY with counselling, peer support, and wellness services.  

The organization was founded after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center to help FDNY firefighters combat the mental stresses the job can bring. Their services come at no charge.  

“We provide counseling for active and retired firefighters and their families,” said Kia Carbone, whose mother helped found Friends of Firefighters. Carbone says that they offer a variety of treatments from acupuncture and massage therapy to group workshops and weekly breakfasts.  

The nonprofit operates out of an old Red Hook firehouse that stopped operations in 1960. They picked this location because they say it makes the firefighters feel at home.  

Arturo Grant now sits on the Friends for Firefighters board after working as an FDNY firefighter for 30 years. While he says he hasn’t used the services, he’s referred other firefighters before. 

“I’ve seen guys carry the weight inside and it’s not good,” said Grant. “It’s very bad for their health and families.” 

For more information on Friends of Firefighers, click here.