The Eric Marsh Foundation

Ref.: www.ericmarshfoundation.org

The Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters has donated tens of thousands of dollars to next of kin of wildland firefighters killed in the line of duty, injured wildland firefighters, PTSD support for firefighters and 130/190 scholarships for wildland fire academies across the country.  These donations are only possible through the generosity of people such as yourself.   

Our Mission

We seek to serve next-of-kin of fallen wildland firefighters and firefighters suffering from PTSD.  

The Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters was created after the Yarnell Hill Fire (6-30-13), which claimed the lives of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots, including my husband, Eric Marsh.  Eric was the Superintendent of the crew.  His death and the death of all 19 men caused a cyclone of grief, emotion, devastation, ruination, soul crushing, life altering and Phoenix creating experiences that have culminated in the creation and the evolution of the Eric Marsh Foundation.

Eric Marsh
Jesse Steed
Clayton Whitted
Robert Caldwell
Travis Carter
Travis Turbyfill
Chris MacKenzie
Andrew Ashcraft
Joe Thurston
Wade Parker
Anthony Rose
Garret Zuppiger
Scott Norris
Dustin DeFord
William Warneke
Kevin Woyjeck
John Percin Jr.
Grant McKee
Sean Misner 

How we help others

In addition to emotional hardship, dependents of fallen or injured firefighters can undergo severe financial hardship following the death or injury of a wildland firefighter. Further, although next of kin may receive death and other benefits, the disbursement of these payments can take up to six (6) months. This is where the Eric Marsh Foundation comes in. The foundation provides financial and other support during this interim period to enable next of kin to deal with their grief and loss.  We also help wildland firefighters struggling with PTSD and we donate scholarships to wildland fire academies across the country.   

How you can help

THE ERIC MARSH FOUNDATION DESPERATELY NEEDS YOUR HELP TO DELIVER ON OUR MISSION. IN MANY CASES, YOUR EMPLOYER MAY OFFER MATCHING GIFTS TO DOUBLE, OR EVEN TRIPLE, THE IMPACT OF YOUR DONATION AND WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK.

YOU CAN ALSO HELP US IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1. Purchase merchandise from our store (www.ericmarshfoundation.orghttps://www.ericmarshfoundation.org/shop/) the proceeds of which to date have funded our overhead costs for our 501c3 thus enabling us to deploy 100% of donated funds to the dependents.

2. Make a direct donation either here or on our website (www.ericmarshfoundation.org) which, again, may be matched by your employer thus multiplying the impact of your donation.

PLEASE HONOR FALLEN AND INJURED FIRE FIGHTERS BY SUPPORTING THEIR DEPENDENTS THROUGH THE ERIC MARSH FOUNDATION!

Eric lived his life by his favorite credo: ESSE QUAM VIDERI - To Be Rather Than to Seem". Please help us continue his legacy by doing the same.

A personal note from Amanda Marsh

Once I was able to look outside my cave of grief following the death of Eric and his crew, I began to see how many people were in the same situation as me from tragedies on the fire line that occurred after the Yarnell Hill Fire.  I wanted to create something to help these people; something that would bolster people’s hearts and let them know that they are seen, loved and that their fallen wildland firefighter is always remembered and always honored.  That was the very first glimmer of the Eric Marsh Foundation.  I wanted to help families like my own. 

Very simply, these men and women, and their families DESERVE our Love and Financial support and the Eric Marsh Foundation is here for these stellar humans.    

The Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters continues to evolve.  The need inside the wildland fire service is huge and it is our honor and commitment to serve our wildfire family from now until long into the future. 

With love and blessings,

Amanda Marsh



Eric and his 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots
Ref.: www.ericmarshfoundation.org

Eric and Amanda Marsh
Ref.: www.ericmarshfoundation.org
Eric Marsh (9-29-69 to 6-30-2013)

In love, I whisper.
in love, i cry.
in love, i cry out.
in love, i breathe-we breathe together.
we hold the silence, suspended.
Terry Tempest Williams

Brendan McDonough
Hotshot Surviver Testimonial 

Yarnell Hill tragedy 
June 30th 2013, Arizona