The PFPAF was organized by the Pocatello Firefighters Union exclusively for charitable purposes, more specifically, to provide relief to persons in immediate need of shelter, clothing, food, and other necessities.

Firefighters are in a unique position to assist the community as they are involved wherever tragedy strikes. This unique position reduces the time from need to intervention. All fire and ambulance crews with the Pocatello Fire Department as well as the Bannock County Ambulance Paramedics are authorized to take action on behalf of the PFPAF.

There are times when all it takes to save a life is to provide small donations in a timely manor. For the diabetic that had no food in the house and no money to purchase food, this would have been a life sentence without the timely intervention of a compassionate fire crew.

Some of the ways that the PFPAF has provided superior service is by the leveraging of financial resources with donated labor from the Firefighters Union. The policies of the PFPAF dictate that when there is a need for assistance, Firefighters are to donate resources of their time and materials and only give out money as a last resort.

The PFPAF Board Members serve without compensation and meet often to ensure the community's needs are being met in the best way possible.

Some of the ways the PFPAF has responded to community needs are:

• Provided food and shelter to peoples displaced by circumstances like fire, flood and other unforeseen setbacks.
• Provided residential quality-of-life enhancements for persons that find themselves with mobility limitations.
• Provided life saving medications to those that do not have time to apply to other agencies.
• Provided needed assistance to out-of-town travelers that find themselves trapped by unforeseen circumstances.

Pocatello Firefighters have a unique role as first responders to the community's needs. One of our most important assets that Firefighters possess is the trust of the community. As stewards of the community’s trust, we strive to subject ourselves and our actions to the highest ethical standards at all times.

The PFPAF is financed by Southeast Idaho Firefighters and others through direct donations as well as donations to the United Way that are earmarked for distribution to the PFPAF.