Welcome to the hub!
community, connection, compassion
First Responder Family Collective is a community & hub curated with vetted resources geared specifically to support first responder families in feeling a sense of belonging, encouragement, and connection.
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Behind the glorification and public praise tied to our first responders, the sacrifices and challenges of the families and loved one that help carry the weight of the badge are often not seen or understood.
As first responder families, we learn how to be resilient, adaptable, and responsive through navigating challenges like unexpected forces, extended periods apart, inconsistent schedules, solo parenting, worrying about the safety of our loved ones, and so much more.
The uniqueness of this lifestyle and the challenges that our first responder families navigate are often not fully understood by those outside of this lifestyle.
This is why First Responder Family Collective was created. To unify and support first responder families regardless of the specific badge they wear. Our mission is to create a space for connection across our shared experiences, support during our challenging moments, and resources to help us all thrive within this unique lifestyle.
A book for the littlest hearts behind the badge
Sharing My
First Responder
With colorful, illustrations and engaging storytelling, this book not only educates children about what first responders are, but also about “big feelings” and how to cope with them when sharing their first responder.
What readers are saying…
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“We love this book! As a mom and police wife, this story resonated so well with us. This adorable story is geared towards children who have a first responder parent and what it can feel like when that family member is away. It emphasizes self-care and encourages children to express themselves. I’m so glad there is a children’s book that not only touches on the home life of first responders, and how long hours and busy schedules can affect their children, but also give children ways to cope with the sacrifice of sharing their first responder parent.”
Elisa (Police Spouse)
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“I read this to my young daughters while their police officer Dad is on duty and it always helps to remind us that all of our feelings are ok to have (Mom included!). We love that it's short and sweet for their little attention spans, and the girls especially love the song and the illustrations. Bonus points for being inclusive of all first responders so that it's applicable to a wide range of families.”
Laura (Police Spouse)
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"It feels like this book was written for our family. I've had to explain to my kids why their dad doesn't come home every night like their friends' dads so having a book like this helps that process so much. It allows them to see themselves in a story and validates their experience. Even though it's written for kids, its reminders are always great for me to hear as well. Such a beautiful little book for the whole fam!"
Natalie (Fire Spouse)
Meet the Founder – mom, teacher, & fire wife
Hi! I’m Francesca.
My reason for creating this community comes from navigating the ups and downs over the last 15 years, as a first responder partner. I remember being a brand new mom and the first shift my husband had after baby, he was sent on a fire for over 30 days. The resiliency I learned during that time was also met with loneliness and a desire to connect with others who truly understood the challenges of being in a partnership with a first responder.
There are now so many wonderful resources from vetted providers within the industry that many families would benefit from. It is such an honor to hold the heart behind a hero, and when we thrive, our first responders thrive. My hope is to create a welcoming space where both police & fire families can be met with support from helpful resources like relevant books and podcasts, the guidance of mental and emotional wellbeing professionals, and connecting over shared experiences with the other families inside the collective.