About Us

Learn more about Texas Fire Fighters Home

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The Texas Fire Fighters Home (TFFH) began as a project of the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, which is proud to be the founding organization. TFFH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Through a collaborative effort of Rotarians in Rotary District 5890 and Rotary International, the Houston Fire Department, and the International Association of Fire Fighters, the dream of helping firefighters is slowly becoming a reality, with Phase One in full swing.


Firefighters face numerous dangers in their role as protectors of our population when dealing with fires and certain other catastrophes. In performing their job, they often receive broken bones, strains, and burns, and exposure to horrendous carcinogens. (It is this exposure to carcinogens which results in the primary and most deadly illness firefighters face—cancer).


When a diagnosis of cancer or some other major illness occurs, their doctors often refer them for treatment to the world-renowned Texas Medical Center (TMC), ranked as the top and the largest medical center in the world, and home to MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). These treatments often require stays for days, weeks, or months and are usually done on an outpatient basis, which means the patient must find short-term lodging.


Lodging near TMC is expensive, and staying in cheaper accommodations usually requires long travel times in Houston’s heavy traffic. The further out you stay, the less expensive the accommodation. For firefighters receiving treatment and in their weakened condition, this is an added hardship.

Our Phases

Phase 1

The TFFH project provides short-term lodging in near proximity to TMC at little or no cost to firefighters and first responders.  To that end, TFFH is currently leasing apartments at the Maroneal Apartments, located near TMC.  These fully-furnished, one-bedroom apartments are provided to firefighters at a no cost other than the one-time, $150 cleaning fee per stay.  Guests can stay as little as 3 days or as long as 90 days, for no additional cost.

Phase 2

The TFFH project is to build a small complex of its own.  Rotary Clubs, firefighters, corporations (big and small), non-profit foundations and individuals are encouraged to be involved in the funding of the TFFH project.  No donation is too small.

Our Core Values

Honor

We empower firefighters through resources, housing, and a strong support system, helping them recover and rebuild stronger than ever

Compassion

Providing a safe and welcoming space where firefighters and their families find comfort and healing

Integrity

Committed to transparency and dedication, always putting the needs of our heroes first

Support

Offering resources, housing, and a strong support system to help firefighters recover and rebuild

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Free Nights provided

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Medical Center in the wrold

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Value Of Free Night Provided

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Supported donors like you

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Families Supported

Meet our team

Our driving forces behind TTFH

Homero served as a Houston Firefighter for 31 years, working at Stations 23, 40, and 93 before retiring in 2011 as a Captain from the Public Affairs Division. In 2008, after receiving a call from a firefighter battling cancer who had no place to stay during treatment in Houston, Homero saw a pressing need. Moved by this experience, he made a promise to help firefighters facing similar challenges. With support from the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, he founded the Texas Fire Fighters Home and his vision became a reality.

Homero Ponce

Chairman

Homero served as a Houston Firefighter for 31 years, working at Stations 23, 40, and 93 before retiring in 2011 as a Captain from the Public Affairs Division. In 2008, after receiving a call from a firefighter battling cancer who had no place to stay during treatment in Houston, Homero saw a pressing need. Moved by this experience, he made a promise to help firefighters facing similar challenges. With support from the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, he founded the Texas Fire Fighters Home and his vision became a reality.

Homero Ponce

Chairman

Homero served as a Houston Firefighter for 31 years, working at Stations 23, 40, and 93 before retiring in 2011 as a Captain from the Public Affairs Division. In 2008, after receiving a call from a firefighter battling cancer who had no place to stay during treatment in Houston, Homero saw a pressing need. Moved by this experience, he made a promise to help firefighters facing similar challenges. With support from the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, he founded the Texas Fire Fighters Home and his vision became a reality.

Homero Ponce

Chairman

Homero served as a Houston Firefighter for 31 years, working at Stations 23, 40, and 93 before retiring in 2011 as a Captain from the Public Affairs Division. In 2008, after receiving a call from a firefighter battling cancer who had no place to stay during treatment in Houston, Homero saw a pressing need. Moved by this experience, he made a promise to help firefighters facing similar challenges. With support from the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, he founded the Texas Fire Fighters Home and his vision became a reality.

Homero Ponce

Chairman

Adam has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board since 2021 and currently leads as President. He brings a strong operational mindset and is deeply committed to supporting first responders and their families during life’s most challenging moments. Adam is proud to be part of an organization that offers safe, welcoming housing to those undergoing cancer treatment far from home. He is also focused on fostering a culture where board members and volunteers feel empowered to contribute—helping the organization grow through shared dedication to its mission.

Adam Cross

President

Adam has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board since 2021 and currently leads as President. He brings a strong operational mindset and is deeply committed to supporting first responders and their families during life’s most challenging moments. Adam is proud to be part of an organization that offers safe, welcoming housing to those undergoing cancer treatment far from home. He is also focused on fostering a culture where board members and volunteers feel empowered to contribute—helping the organization grow through shared dedication to its mission.

Adam Cross

President

Adam has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board since 2021 and currently leads as President. He brings a strong operational mindset and is deeply committed to supporting first responders and their families during life’s most challenging moments. Adam is proud to be part of an organization that offers safe, welcoming housing to those undergoing cancer treatment far from home. He is also focused on fostering a culture where board members and volunteers feel empowered to contribute—helping the organization grow through shared dedication to its mission.

Adam Cross

President

Adam has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board since 2021 and currently leads as President. He brings a strong operational mindset and is deeply committed to supporting first responders and their families during life’s most challenging moments. Adam is proud to be part of an organization that offers safe, welcoming housing to those undergoing cancer treatment far from home. He is also focused on fostering a culture where board members and volunteers feel empowered to contribute—helping the organization grow through shared dedication to its mission.

Adam Cross

President

Andrew Bradley has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board of directors since 2022, focusing on strategy, fundraising, and analytics. As a former volunteer firefighter and cancer survivor, TFFH’s mission is deeply personal to him. Andrew is passionate about supporting first responders and their families during times of need.

Andrew Bradley

SECRETARY

Andrew Bradley has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board of directors since 2022, focusing on strategy, fundraising, and analytics. As a former volunteer firefighter and cancer survivor, TFFH’s mission is deeply personal to him. Andrew is passionate about supporting first responders and their families during times of need.

Andrew Bradley

SECRETARY

Andrew Bradley has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board of directors since 2022, focusing on strategy, fundraising, and analytics. As a former volunteer firefighter and cancer survivor, TFFH’s mission is deeply personal to him. Andrew is passionate about supporting first responders and their families during times of need.

Andrew Bradley

SECRETARY

Andrew Bradley has served on the Texas Fire Fighters Home board of directors since 2022, focusing on strategy, fundraising, and analytics. As a former volunteer firefighter and cancer survivor, TFFH’s mission is deeply personal to him. Andrew is passionate about supporting first responders and their families during times of need.

Andrew Bradley

SECRETARY

MS, RN-BC, OCN, works part-time at MD Anderson Cancer Center with experience in nursing education, administration, and medical information technology. She has served in leadership roles within the Rotary Club University Area and the Texas Firefighters Home board. She trains nursing staff who care for  firefighters and first responders receiving medical care in Houston.

Cindy Murphy

DIRECTOR

MS, RN-BC, OCN, works part-time at MD Anderson Cancer Center with experience in nursing education, administration, and medical information technology. She has served in leadership roles within the Rotary Club University Area and the Texas Firefighters Home board. She trains nursing staff who care for  firefighters and first responders receiving medical care in Houston.

Cindy Murphy

DIRECTOR

MS, RN-BC, OCN, works part-time at MD Anderson Cancer Center with experience in nursing education, administration, and medical information technology. She has served in leadership roles within the Rotary Club University Area and the Texas Firefighters Home board. She trains nursing staff who care for  firefighters and first responders receiving medical care in Houston.

Cindy Murphy

DIRECTOR

MS, RN-BC, OCN, works part-time at MD Anderson Cancer Center with experience in nursing education, administration, and medical information technology. She has served in leadership roles within the Rotary Club University Area and the Texas Firefighters Home board. She trains nursing staff who care for  firefighters and first responders receiving medical care in Houston.

Cindy Murphy

DIRECTOR

G.V. Krishnan is a seasoned educator and entrepreneur with a strong commitment to community service.
Mr. Krishnan is actively involved in philanthropy, focusing on education and social welfare. A Rotary Club member since 2011, he served as President in 2019–2020. He now serves as Board Member and Vice President of the Texas Fire Fighters Home, supporting first responders during medical challenges.

G.V. Krishnan

TREASURER


G.V. Krishnan

TREASURER

G.V. Krishnan is a seasoned educator and entrepreneur with a strong commitment to community service.
Mr. Krishnan is actively involved in philanthropy, focusing on education and social welfare. A Rotary Club member since 2011, he served as President in 2019–2020. He now serves as Board Member and Vice President of the Texas Fire Fighters Home, supporting first responders during medical challenges.

G.V. Krishnan

TREASURER

G.V. Krishnan is a seasoned educator and entrepreneur with a strong commitment to community service.
Mr. Krishnan is actively involved in philanthropy, focusing on education and social welfare. A Rotary Club member since 2011, he served as President in 2019–2020. He now serves as Board Member and Vice President of the Texas Fire Fighters Home, supporting first responders during medical challenges.

G.V. Krishnan

TREASURER


Gabe Dominguez

Director


Gabe Dominguez

Director


Gabe Dominguez

Director


Gabe Dominguez

Director

Larry and his wife, Carolyn, have lived in Houston since 2017. Originally from Spur, Texas, Larry spent most of his career in California after earning a BS and MBA from Pepperdine University.

He held executive roles in sales, administration, and software development at Pacific Telephone, Triad Systems, CarParts Technologies, and MAM Software.

A Rotarian since 2004, Larry is a Paul Harris Fellow and past president of both the San Ramon Valley and University Area Rotary Clubs. He served on the Texas Firefighter’s Home board (2020–2022) and was named District 5890 President of the Year in 2021–2022. He now serves as club secretary.

Larry is also active at St. Paul’s UMC, where he serves on the Missions Committee and leads Operation Turkey efforts.

Larry Blair

Director


Larry Blair

Director

Larry and his wife, Carolyn, have lived in Houston since 2017. Originally from Spur, Texas, Larry spent most of his career in California after earning a BS and MBA from Pepperdine University.

He held executive roles in sales, administration, and software development at Pacific Telephone, Triad Systems, CarParts Technologies, and MAM Software.

A Rotarian since 2004, Larry is a Paul Harris Fellow and past president of both the San Ramon Valley and University Area Rotary Clubs. He served on the Texas Firefighter’s Home board (2020–2022) and was named District 5890 President of the Year in 2021–2022. He now serves as club secretary.

Larry is also active at St. Paul’s UMC, where he serves on the Missions Committee and leads Operation Turkey efforts.

Larry Blair

Director

Larry and his wife, Carolyn, have lived in Houston since 2017. Originally from Spur, Texas, Larry spent most of his career in California after earning a BS and MBA from Pepperdine University.

He held executive roles in sales, administration, and software development at Pacific Telephone, Triad Systems, CarParts Technologies, and MAM Software.

A Rotarian since 2004, Larry is a Paul Harris Fellow and past president of both the San Ramon Valley and University Area Rotary Clubs. He served on the Texas Firefighter’s Home board (2020–2022) and was named District 5890 President of the Year in 2021–2022. He now serves as club secretary.

Larry is also active at St. Paul’s UMC, where he serves on the Missions Committee and leads Operation Turkey efforts.

Larry Blair

Director

Get involved

Join us in making a difference

Working together for lasting change

The Texas Fire Fighters Home (TFFH) was founded by the Rotary Club of University Area Houston and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. With support from Rotary District 5890, the Houston Fire Department, Texas State Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters, TFFH is making its mission a reality.


Firefighters risk their lives daily, facing injuries and toxic exposure, with cancer being their deadliest threat. When diagnosed, many seek treatment at the Texas Medical Center (TMC), home to MD Anderson Cancer Center. These treatments often require extended stays, but lodging near TMC is costly, adding stress to an already difficult time.