We work to change the lives of those who need it most.
About The Ray Pfeifer Foundation
The Ray Pfeifer Foundation's purpose is to assist with medical needs not covered by insurance - for 9/11 first responders
“Do the right thing, even when no one is looking,” words you’d often hear from Ray Pfeifer. A member of the FDNY since 1987, Ray was golfing with other FDNY firefighters the morning of September 11, 2001. When he learned of the attacks, Ray went to his firehouse at Engine 40/Ladder 35, grabbed his gear, and spent the next eight months searching and digging at Ground Zero. All 11 members of his Manhattan firehouse who responded to the call were killed. In 2009, Ray was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer resulting from his work at the World Trade Center site. With federal benefits on the verge of expiring, Ray, in his wheelchair, led a small contingent to Washington, DC in 2015 to challenge lawmakers. Ray fought for health care benefits from the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to be extended for September 11th first responders, and succeeded. Ray passed away on May 28, 2017. Now The Ray Pfeifer Foundation, started by other FDNY first responders, is helping 9/11 first responders with medical needs not covered by insurance.
In 2019, the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11 Victim Compensation Act” was passed to provide financial support for 9/11 responders, survivors and their families. While these bills are helpful, there are gaps and long waits to receive compensation. The Ray Pfeifer Foundation is helping people right now.
Executive Team


Craig Paupst
President
FDNY 2006 – Present
Ladder 35


Christopher Howard
Vice President
FDNY 2005 – Present
Ladder 157


Joseph Tisbe
Secretary
FDNY 1999 – Present
Ladder 40


Robert Ostrofsky
TREASURER
FDNY 1998 – 2018
Retired
Board of Directors


Frank Heal
FDNY 2002-2014
Ladder 11
Retired
FDNY Hockey Team, Secretary


Rob Serra
FDNY 2001 – 2012
Squad 18
Retired from 9/11 related illness
Advisory Board


Wayne S. Cook, Jr.


John A. Flynn


Mary Jane Greco
RN MSN


Dominique I. Joseph
Family Liaison – FDNY


Anna Nolan, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Medicine and Environmental Medicine
NYU School of Medicine


Hisham Tawfiq
FDNY (Retired)
Actor (NBC’s Blacklist)