The NFRF Nationwide Reach

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OUR FOUNDING

In 2017, San Francisco Firefighter Greg Collaco invited San Francisco Fire Commissioner Joe Alioto Veronese to climb the 1192 steps of 555 California Street in San Francisco to bring awareness to first responder mental health and the gaps in funding for emergency support. With the early support from the International Association of Firefighters Local 798 and San Diego-based FirefighterAid, the National First Responders Fund hosted the First San Francisco First Responder Stairclimb and received its 501C3 status in 2017. Since our founding in California, we have increased our reach nationally and are funding mental health initiatives, courses, and other mental health-related needs with police, fire, and dispatch agencies across the country.

OUR MISSION

The National First Responders Fund is a financial resource organization dedicated to First Responder programs and training to address awareness and recovery from work-related Post Traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI). The NFRF is a bridge between private donors and the financial needs of First Responders relating to the Post Traumatic Stress Injuries they sustain on the job.

 MEET THE NFRF TEAM

joe

Joe Alioto Veronese Founder/Executive Director
San Francisco Fire/Police Commissioner, Former

Joe Alioto Veronese

Joe was drawn to the cause of helping first responders early in his life. It wasn’t until his service as a San Francisco Fire Commissioner did he truly understand the gaps in front-line services and funding for first responders mental health programs. Joe and his then wife, Julie founded the organization with the help of Doug Harvil, San Francisco Firefighter Greg Collaco, Firefighter/ Paramedic John Christy, and hundreds of volunteers who were drawn to helping the dedicated men and women who’ve chosen the profession of being first responders. First Responders are just a phone call away on our worst day and we need to be there for them on theirs.

Joe has been exposed to first responders and their causes for over two decades. He began his career as a Reserve Police Officer at the San Francisco Police Department after graduating from a Los Angeles County Police Academy where he obtained his California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) certification. He then received another P.O.S.T certificate as the President of the 185th class of the San Francisco Police Academy. He served for nearly five years with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Criminal Investigations Bureau culminating in his promotion to Senior Criminal Investigator. He was appointed as San Francisco Police Commissioner for a four-year term by then Mayor Gavin Newsom. Joe served seven years as an appointee of the California Senate to the California Criminal Justice Commission, advising then Governor Schwarzenegger and Governor Brown on criminal justice policy and directing tens of millions of dollars toward criminal justice reform. Joe currently serves on the California Senate’s International Relations Board representing the interests of the State of California abroad.

Joe served as Fire Commissioner to the San Francisco Fire Department as an appointee of the late Mayor of San Francisco, Edwin M. Lee. Joe received a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco in 2000 and practices as a civil rights trial attorney and corporate/general counsel to small and mid-size companies.
ryan

Ryan Brooks Board of Directors

Ryan Brooks

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Outfront Media, LLC,

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Brooks serves as the Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for Outfront Media. Outfront Media is a leading global media company with preeminent positions in Outdoor Advertising. Mr. Brooks is responsible for creating and maintaining governmental and public affairs activities, compliance, community outreach, policy direction and fundraising activities for the United States and Canada. Mr. Brooks oversees an internal government affairs team of 11 and over 70 contract lobbyists nationwide. Mr. Brooks is responsible for providing regular updates on legislative issues and strategies to the Outfront Media Executive Committee.

Mr. Brooks was appointed under the Obama Administration on December 4, 2014 to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Services and Financial Industries (ITAC 10) by the Former United States Secretary of Commerce, Honorable Penny Pritzker and the Former United States Trade Representative, Honorable Michael Forman. Mr. Brooks was reappointed under the Trump Administration on February 28, 2018 by the United States Secretary of Commerce, Honorable Wilbur Ross and the United States Trade Representative, Honorable Robert E. Lighthizer. Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) is a unique public-private partnership jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR). Mr. Brooks provides detailed policy and technical advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and The United States Trade Representative regarding trade barriers, negotiations of trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements affecting industry sectors; and perform other advisory functions relevant to U.S. trade policy matters. Mr. Brooks holds security clearance at the “Secret” level. His term will expire on February 14, 2022.

In 2003, Mr. Brooks was appointed by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Jr. to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and re-appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom (current Governor of State of California) in 2004. Mr. Brooks served as the Vice President of the Commission in 2006 and served as the Commission President in 2007. Mr. Brooks was instrumental in creating the San Francisco bio-fuels program and solar programs at Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco International Airport, and the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant. In 2005 Mr. Brooks helped create the San Francisco Public Utilities Power Enterprise. The PUC’s Hetch Hetchy Water and Power was divided into two distinct enterprises. The Power Enterprise focuses on providing adequate and reliable supplies of electric power to meet the municipal requirements of the City and County of San Francisco, including power to operate Muni streetcars and electric buses, street and traffic lights, municipal buildings and other City facilities, including the Airport; provides power as well as to the Modesto and Turlock Irrigation districts, and to other commercial customers consistent with prescribed contractual obligations and federal law. Mr. Brooks served as the Director of Administrative Services for the City and County of San Francisco under the appointment of Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. Mr. Brooks was responsible for policy and planning for 14 city departments, various city programs, over 300 employees, and a budget of $94.6 million dollars. In his position as Director of Community and Public Relations for the United States Navy from 1996 to 1998, Mr. Brooks was responsible for public policy for one third of the base closures in the United States. As a contractor, Mr. Brooks was a Pentagon Advisor to the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Securities. Through his broad range of experience, he is recognized as an authority on issues relating to the environment, clean technology, public policy and city management.

Public Service:
Mr. Brooks was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2008 to the California Board of Pharmacy, Mr. Brooks was re-appointed to additional 4-year terms in 2010 and in 2016 by Governor Jerry Brown. The Board of Pharmacy protects and promotes the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacist’s care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement. Mr. Brooks is a former member of the New Motor Vehicle Board (Senate Rules appointment 2006 and re-appointed in 2010/14), and former member of the Little Hoover Commission (Senate Rules appointment 2007).

Mr. Brooks is a member of the California International Relations Foundation (California Senate non-profit). The Foundation supports the California State Senate in furthering the exchange of international economic, educational and cultural information between government leaders and other citizens of foreign countries. As an active board member since 2003, Mr. Brooks has traveled with Senate Delegations to Russia, France, Argentina, Brazil, China, Vietnam, Switzerland, Germany, and South Africa.

Mr. Brooks received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from San Diego State University.

Mr. Brooks was named by the San Francisco Sun Reporter as one of the Talented 100 African Americans in the Bay Area.
Doug

Doug Harvil Board of Directors

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Diana Rosenblatt Board of Directors

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Don Tarantino Board of Directors

Don Tarantino

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
ALLIANT INSURANCE SERVICES, INC

Don Tarantino was born in San Francisco, attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory and Loyola Marymount University. Previously, Don was Area Chairman for Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance for 14 years, and President of S.P. Tarantino Insurance Services for 20 years. Don serves as a regent and as chairperson of BLCA for Loyola Marymount University. He also serves as a council member for various insurance companies and participates in several community and philanthropic organizations. Don and his wife, Darcy, reside in San Rafael, CA. They have three children, are Taylor, Torey, and Raegan.
john-christy

John Christy Peer Support Program Manager
San Francisco Paramedic / Firefighter, Retired