The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF) is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing burns and fires and providing services to those who have been affected by a burn injury. AARBF brings together health care providers, firefighters, emergency workers, burn survivors and others to enhance the quality of life for burn survivors and to make burn injuries a thing of the past.

At age eight, Alisa Ann Ruch was fatally injured in a backyard barbecue accident in Southern California. Bravely using their tragedy as a catalyst for change, Alisa Ann’s parents, local firefighters and medical professionals joined together and created AARBF in 1971 with the goal of preventing burn injuries by teaching Stop Drop and Roll.

The Menlo Park Firefighters' Association became involved with the Foundation in 1987 with the efforts of Association Member Frank Fraone. In 1987, 1988 and 1989, Association Member Frank Fraone and his wife Kelly were Camp Councilors at the annual burn camp called "Champ Camp" in Southern California.

In 1989, Association Member Frank Fraone and 8 others from around the bay area fire service started the Bay Area Chapter of the AARBF. Frank Fraone was original Vice President." In 1990, Frank Fraone and Joe Novelli started the first Bay Area Burn Relay. Frank Fraone and his wife continued to be part of "Champ Camp" until Fraone passed the torch to Firefighter Association Member Troy Holt in 1992.

Troy took a seat as a Board of Director on the Bay Area Chapter of the AARBF of the 1992 and participated as a counselor at Champ Camp. At this point Troy had a major part in the organization of the East Bay Departments own burn relay

In 1993 Troy Holt ran the Bay Area Burn Relay, that was on the peninsula, as well as the first Burn Relay on the East Bay. Leslie Griffith, an anchor for KTVU Channel 2 News, was the Human Baton for the Relay. It was also in that year that Troy organized a Back to School program for a burn survivor in Oakland

In 1994 Troy Holt ran the Peninsula Bay Area Burn Relay as well as the first Burn Relay on the East Bay. Again, Leslie Griffith, an anchor for KTVU Channel 2 News, was the Human Baton for the Relay. It was also in that year that Troy organized a Back to School program for a burn survivor in Belmont.

Troy continued to run both relays with Leslie Griffith as the Human Baton until 1997 when he ceased organizing the Peninsula Relay. To this day Troy continues to set up the morning coffee break for the relay at Menlo Park and acts as Point of Contact for the Relay. In 1997 Troy Holt was presented the Channel 2 Family 2 Family Award for community service.

In 1998, Troy Holt began the 2 year process of passing East Bay Relay to a firefighter from Livermore Lab Fire. At this Point the East Bay Relay was making 80K a year.

Presently, Menlo Park Firefighters' Association Member, Troy Holt continues to be the point of contact for the Peninsulas Burn Relay and with the support of Association Member Jon Johnston, who organizes the Firefighter Pancake Breakfast. donates a check for nearly $10,000 every year to the AARBF.

For more information go to Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation