Round Rock nonprofit launches to support firefighters
ROUND ROCK (KXAN) — A Round Rock firefighter and spouse launched a nonprofit dedicated to support firefighters in early August.
The Round Rock Fire Foundation (RRFF) offers a new model of fire family support, according to Round Rock Fire Department Assistant Chief Wylie Brownell.
"The Round Rock fire Foundation wants to be able to support the firefighters and their family members in addition to what the fire department already provides," Wylie Brownell said.
The idea of foundation came when Wylie Brownell and his wife, Diedra Brownell, lost their 23-year-old daughter to common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), an immune system disorder that makes it more difficult for the body to fight infections.
"When we lost Bailey, our [Round Rock] fire family came and gave us support like you wouldn't believe," Diedra Brownell said. "We had firefighters come show up at our house—they were there for days—and they cooked our dinner, they played with our dogs, they took our trash out, and they planned Bailey's funeral."
The amount of support the Brownell's had when Baliey died made them realize every firefighter family should have the same level of support during a difficult time.
"That includes mental health resources, wellness resources," Wylie Brownell said. "One initiative that we started is we started a spouse conference where firefighters and their spouse come in for a weekend, they do classroom activities."
RRFF is holding a fundraiser Nov. 8 at Cedar Ridge High School featuring local pickleball players play in a tournament. You can click here for more information.