Our founder
Born from the rubble of Ground Zero
Hero Family Bridge exists because one firefighter watched families fall through the cracks — and refused to let it keep happening.
Jimmy Sewell
Founder & Executive Director
Law Enforcement / 911 First Responder (Ret.)
"I've carried fallen heroes out of rubble. I'm not going to stand by while their families fall through the cracks of a system that was supposed to protect them."
— Jimmy Sewell, Founder
Twenty-five years ago, our founder, Jimmy Sewell, served in the body-recovery efforts at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks.
While there, he met NYPD Chief Joe Esposito. Chief Esposito told him about the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 39 EMTs who died that day. He also told Jimmy that within days, families were receiving letters from insurance companies indicating their intention to invoke provisions in those policies related to the attack that would result in the policy NOT PAYING the death benefit.
Not because those first responders had done anything wrong. Not because they hadn't paid what they were supposed to pay. There were "Act of War/Act of Terror" provisions in those contracts they didn't know were there.
Think about that. Those responders thought their families were protected. Their spouses thought they were protected. Then came the worst day of their lives — and that's when they found out. That's too late.
The Full Picture
Average PSOB wait time
Firefighters lost on 9/11
Of member pledges reach families
Why we exist
The gap is real. The solution is simple.
Hero Family Bridge is a crowdfunded bridge-benefit platform. When a first responder dies in the line of duty, we deploy immediate financial support to the family — funded by a nationwide network of members who each give $2, $5, $10 or more. No bureaucracy. No waiting. Just people taking care of people.
100% Guarantee
Every dollar pledged by members goes directly to LODD families. We operate on administrative donations only.
Immediate Response
Funds are deployed within days of a confirmed line-of-duty death — not months.
Community-Powered
Strength in numbers. Thousands of small pledges become life-changing support for one family.
Join the mission
Whether you're a first responder, a civilian supporter, or a department leader — there's a place for you in this bridge.