Dear Firefighter:
“I am thankful for your effort in trying to contain and put out the wildfires that have devastated so many communities.”
“I am thankful for the countless hours you worked and taking the risk of losing your life so others will not.”
“I hope you and the other firefighters are all well and being careful near the fires. Keep fighting as best as you can.”
“I am so grateful for you guys and women.”
“I am thankful most importantly for you always putting big fires out.”
“I’m grateful for you guys because you all are always risking your lives every time you get a new call, as well as providing things to different communities.”
“Over the last week though you guys all worked harder than usual and multiple extra hours and days trying to stop the fire from expanding.”
“All of California supports you.”
These and hundreds more heartfelt notes from students, kindergarten through 12th grade, poured in from all over the country during the January 2025 wildfire tragedies.
Individuals near and far were so moved by the work of Los Angeles firefighters to protect the communities impacted by these blazes. School administrators reached out from multiple states asking if they could send notes of encouragement from their students, many of whom had expressed on their own a desire to help in some way.
Hand-drawn cards, written letters, and more now decorate the walls and doors of fire stations and other Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) buildings.
“This stuff keeps us going,” one firefighter expressed as he held a card written and drawn by a 3rd grade student from Maryland, exhausted after 24 days on the Palisades Fire.
Beyond monetary donations, the kindness and solidarity expressed by youth in Los Angeles and beyond for those risking their lives to keep us all safe has moved so many members who have been working tirelessly since the fires broke out on January 7th.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of the students, teachers, and staff that have sent these notes of gratitude to LAFD firefighters. Please know that your love and support is deeply felt, and invaluable.
Thank you for bringing hope to those fighting to protect the city of Los Angeles.
