HEN Technologies has launched the HEN Foundation, a new non-profit organisation aimed at providing US fire departments with modern equipment, training and recovery support.
The company, based in Hayward, California, announced the initiative on Friday 31 October 2025, describing it as an extension of its mission to modernise fire suppression tools and improve firefighter safety.
According to the company, the Foundation will empower departments of all sizes by providing resources to enhance operational effectiveness and on-scene safety.
Sunny Sethi, CEO of HEN Technologies, said the Foundation represents the next step in supporting those who serve their communities.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors includes Ray McCormack and Frank Leeb, both retired from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), and Tonya Hoover, retired from the US Fire Administration (USFA).
Together, the board brings decades of operational and leadership experience to guide the Foundation’s direction and ensure its programs align with the needs of fire departments nationwide.
The Foundation’s work is organised into three core pillars: equipment, education and renewal.
Under its Equipment program, the HEN Foundation provides National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant gear to departments seeking to improve firefighter protection and operational readiness.
The Education pillar focuses on research-based, hands-on training for departments across the country.
Leeb, who serves as a training advisor to the Foundation, said: “Education and training are essential for the fire service.
“It also allows us to provide world-class instruction to departments nationwide through the HEN Foundation.”
The training programs aim to improve safety, confidence and performance on the fireground by combining evidence-based practice with practical instruction.
Beyond fireground operations, the Foundation’s Renewal pillar provides support for the families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
This includes fully funded retreat experiences designed to give families time and space to rest, reflect and rebuild.
Hoover said: “Left behind with the loss of a fallen hero is a family whose world is forever changed.
“Renewal is our promise to help those families find peace, support and space to work through the journey of healing.”
All travel, accommodation and meal costs are covered through donations and partner support.
The Foundation is funded through private and charitable donations from individuals and organisations that share its focus on reducing fire risk and supporting first responders.
The Wjo Foundation and the O’Neil family have made an initial grant of 1.5 million US dollars to help launch the Foundation’s operations and sustain its core programs.
In a joint statement, the donors said: “We are proud to make a 1,500,000-dollar foundational grant to the HEN Foundation to help advance its mission of service and protection.
“We’re honored to support the efforts of firefighters across America who work every day to make our communities safer.
“We believe in translating innovation into lifesaving impact and strengthening the resilience of communities everywhere.”
McCormack, who serves as President of the HEN Foundation, said: “Now more than ever, the fire service needs access to safe, reliable and modern tools.
“We established the Foundation to ensure every department, regardless of size or budget, has the equipment and education necessary to protect their firefighters and the communities they serve.”
According to HEN Technologies, the Foundation aims to ensure that every firefighter and every family has the support they need on and off the fireground.
More information about the Foundation and its programs can be found at hen.foundation.
The HEN Foundation’s launch holds practical implications for fire chiefs, training officers and procurement managers responsible for departmental readiness.
The Equipment program may assist smaller or budget-limited departments in accessing NFPA-compliant tools, while the Education pillar provides structured opportunities for hands-on, research-based instruction adaptable to local needs.
For those overseeing wellness and peer-support initiatives, the Renewal pillar introduces a formal mechanism for post-incident family support funded entirely through donations.
Together, these efforts could strengthen preparedness, recovery and community resilience across the fire service network in the US.
