BOISE , Idaho ( CNN ) -- Firefighter Jonathan Frohreich had never heard of The Wildland Firefighter Foundation , much less its founder , until recovering from severe work-related injuries last month . Vicki Minor 's Wildland Firefighter Foundation has granted more than $ 1.5 million in aid to more than 500 families . As he lay in his hospital bed in Sacramento , California , Vicki Minor put her hand on his shoulder . `` She introduced herself and told me that she was there to help , '' recalls Frohreich , who had been in a helicopter crash that killed nine of his colleagues . `` She just said , 'Anything . ' She was there to do anything for me . '' Since 1999 , Minor has dedicated herself to providing emergency assistance and ongoing support to injured and fallen wildfire fighters and their families nationwide through her Wildland Firefighter Foundation . Wildland firefighters are called into action when the United States ' vast natural resources are threatened by fire . For Frohreich , Minor 's foundation supplied lodging and food for family and friends who visited his bedside . It also provided emergency funds for medical and other expenses , arranged for Frohreich to meet with firefighters who carried him to safety , and brought his fallen comrades ' family members to a bereavement ceremony . `` She means everything , '' Frohreich said . `` She 's one of the best things to ever happen . '' Minor first became involved with the wildland firefighter community 21 years ago after witnessing a wildfire for the first time . `` I had never seen anything like it , '' Minor recalls of the blaze in the mountains of Idaho . `` All those firefighter units mobilized in camps that cropped up . It was like an invasion , and I was mesmerized . '' Minor started a fire camp commissary , providing dry goods , clothing and necessities to the firefighters . But it was n't until tragedy struck in 1994 at Storm King Mountain , Colorado , where 14 firefighters perished in a single day , that Minor was overcome with a need to assist the families . The Storm King fire was a turning point . `` Fighting fire is much like fighting a war . There 's no time to tend to the injured , or tend to the dead . The fire does n't stop raging , '' Minor said . `` I looked up at the heavens and I said to those kids , 'Help me help your families . ' `` Grieving wildland families , like those of fallen soldiers , tend to be young and scattered throughout the country , often enduring their sudden loss in isolation from their firefighting community . Taking cues from a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington , D.C. , Minor spearheaded fundraising efforts for the erection of the Wildland Firefighters Monument in Boise , Idaho , which contains markers `` for almost every wildland firefighter that has fallen , '' Minor said . `` I had seen and felt the healing of those combat veterans that would touch a name of their friend , '' Minor said . `` Our wildland firefighters had nothing like that to process their grief . I wanted to create a place where our families could congregate , reach out in solidarity and comfort to honor their fallen and injured . '' Watch Minor describe the sculptures in the firefighter monument » . Since 1999 , the foundation has continued to grow , assisting more than 500 wildland firefighters and their families with more than $ 1.5 million in emergency funds and services , including communication support ; travel and lodging for the injured and fallen ; and emotional and benefit counseling and advocacy . Watch Minor describe how her foundation takes action to aid wildfire fighters » . `` There is a need for these families to be taken care of , and a long-term need , '' Minor said . `` But most of it is to maintain that home until benefits come in . '' When survivors suddenly lose their income and do n't know how to apply for the compensation they 're entitled to , Minor 's foundation steps in to guide them , often fighting for them when benefits are delayed or denied . Watch Minor explain why her foundation fights for firefighters and their families » . Minor says she hopes the wildland firefighters know `` we have their back . '' `` I hope that they feel they can go on and fight that fire and know that we 'll take care of their family and their friends . ''
Vicki Minor 's foundation helps injured and fallen wildfire fighters and their families . The Wildland Firefighter Foundation has assisted more than 500 families since 1999 . Comment: