About Us
The SJ Firefighters Burn Foundation is a 100% volunteer-driven nonprofit organization led by firefighters from the San José Fire Department. Our mission is to provide support, resources, and hope to burn survivors and their families. While we are rooted in the San José community and work closely with the Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, our services extend to burn survivors nationwide, and we are continually working to expand our network of support.
As a donor-funded organization, we rely entirely on the generosity of our community to carry out our mission. We provide financial assistance to burn survivors and their families, as well as scholarships and educational funding for healthcare professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and expertise in burn care.
The Foundation proudly supports events organized by burn survivors and hosts a variety of programs and fundraising events throughout the year to promote healing, education, awareness, and community connection. Through these efforts, we strive to improve the lives of burn survivors, strengthen burn care, and foster a supportive community for all those affected by burn injuries.
Meet the Board
Corey Condren
Corey is a fire captain and has been with the department for 12 years. She joined the Burn Foundation because she LOVES giving back to the community. When she first heard that the SJFFBurn Foundation existed, her first thought was, “I wish this existed when I was younger”. She was 14 years old when her older brother became a burn survivor. Watching him heal and survive after his injury, she know he could have benefitted from an organization such as the SJFFBF. This motivated her to get involved. As a firefighter paramedic, she has frequently treated burn patients but never got any follow up with the, being apart of the foundation allowed her to remain in contact and continue to support patients throughout their recovery and beyond, which was just the icing on top of everything else.
She loves being a part of this organization, everyone here wants to help and freely gives their time to make other people’s lives better, and that is inspiring. But not as inspiring as seeing the burn survivors come through their journey triumphant. That makes it all worth it.
Vice President
Isabella Drake
Bella has been a firefighter with the San José Fire Department and the SJFF Burn Foundation for the past year. She manages the Foundation's online presence, including its website and social media platforms, helping showcase the events and impact the foundation has on the community.
As a burn survivor herself, Bella joined the Foundation to become more involved in the burn community and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Her favorite Foundation events are Burn Camp and the annual Charity Gala, both of which embody the sense of community and belonging the foundation aims to create.
In her free time, Bella enjoys biting off more than she can chew, spending time with her family, picking up new hobbies, and being outdoors whenever she can.
Communications Director
David Bartels
Secretary
Dave Bartels is a Bay Area native that joined the San Jose Fire Department in 2017. He currently works as a Fire Prevention Inspector in the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Prior to his role as an inspector, he worked as a Fire Engineer at Station 4 and a Firefighter Paramedic at Station 14. Prior to joining the San Jose Fire Department, Dave worked as
a Paramedic in San Francisco as well as an EMT and Firefighter for fire departments on the peninsula. Prior to his career in EMS and Fire, he worked in commercial real estate in San Francisco. Dave holds a Bachelor's degree from UC Davis in Economics. He lives in San Jose with his wife and two children and feels blessed to be able to have a career that serves the community in which he lives. As a Trustee for the Burn Foundation, Dave looks forward to furthering that effort. In his off time, he enjoys staying active outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.
Wes Barone
Wes Barone has been a Trustee for the SJFF Burn Foundation for 8 years and with the San Jose Fire Department for 10 years. He grew up in SJFD and was brought to burn foundation events as a child. He had the opportunity to see the impact the organization and its members had on burn survivors and the community. When he was hired with SJFD he knew he wanted to dedicate his time to volunteering with the foundation.
He has had the privilege of meeting burn survivors in recovery, after being released from the hospital, and years after as some survivors wish to dedicate their time to raise awareness and funds for future survivors. He truly enjoys being a small part of this foundation and helping with all of the events the foundation hosts annually. His favorite event is ourSummer Burn Camp. It is a special weekend in which we get to create a safe environment for these children to engage in summer camp activities together and be themselves without fear of being stared at or talked about in a negative way.
This community is unlike any other.
Trustee
William Tyson
William has been with the San Jose Fire Department for nine years and is currently a fire engineer.
He says his primary motivator for joining the SJFF Burn Foundation is "I wanted to be a part of a team that shows up for burn survivors when they need it most and be apart of something bigger than myself."
He feels the Gala is the most stressful yet rewarding experience of the events the foundation hosts. His hobbies these days mostly involve coordinating bedtime, finding missing toys, and pretending to still have free time for date night, golf, and leisure. "Turns out raising kids is a full-time sport that doesn't leave much room for anything else... and I'm prefectly gratedful for that."
Trustee
Di-an Duong
Di-an is a fire inspector with the San Jose Fire Department where she has proudly served for the past seven years. She joined the SJFF Burn Foundation because she believes in supporting burn survivors, firefighters, and their families beyond the emergency scene.
She is especially inspired by the foundation's commitment to Burn Camp (an event which she has taken over coordinating) and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families recovering from burn injuries. One of her favorite parts of being involved with the foundation is seeing firefighters, community members, and burn survivors come together in support of one another.
Outside of work, Di-an enjoys coaching rugby, training athletes, traveling, and spending time with her dog Boba.
Trustee
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Brett Blean
Brett is a retired Captain with the San Jose Fire Department. He proudly served 28 years with a deep commitment to his community. Throughout his career, he focused not only on emergency response, but also on mentoring, coaching, and giving back through service beyond the job.
Brett’s involvement with the San Jose Burn Foundation is rooted in the belief that a firefighter’s duty continues long after the fire is out. Supporting burn survivors and their families through recovery and rebuilding is a meaningful extension of that mission.
Brett values the way the Foundation unites firefighters, survivors, families, and the community around a shared purpose. The Annual Burn Gala is a personal highlight, combining connection and camaraderie with real impact for burn care and recovery.
Outside of service, Brett enjoys time with his family, traveling, and staying active. He is proud to continue serving through the San Jose Burn Foundation and to support an organization that brings hope, healing, and lasting care to those who need it most.
Trustee
Moses Salas
Moses Salas has proudly served with the San José Fire Department since 2017 and is currently a Fire Engineer at Station 27. He joined the San Jose Firefighters Burn Foundation as a way to give back to the community and support burn survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives after tragedy.
One of Moses' favorite Foundation events is San Jose Firefighter Sharks Night, where he enjoys connecting with the community while helping raise awareness and support for the Foundation's mission.
When he's not on shift or volunteering, Moses enjoys spending time with his wife, their two sons, and their two dogs. He values family, service, and giving back to the community he is proud to call home.
Trustee
Additional Members
We have so many more incredible members who volunteer their time to and assist with planning events. We're so incredibly thankful to have such a generous community to keep this foundation going.
President
Treasurer
James Aparicio
Michael Hidalgo
Trustees
Ben Hammond
Nick Gall
Jon Olson
Branden Van Valer
Representatives
Elisha John
Dean Taylor