As we approach the tragic anniversary of the death of Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno, while there has been pain, there is officially hope and progress.

"After Jay passed away back in March, my daughter and I had the entire city rally behind us and it was really beautiful and incredible," said Sarah Tierney, Arno's wife and now board member for his memorial foundation.

Nearing six months to the day, friends, family and community have not forgotten about the sacrifice made by a 37-year-old firefighter from the City of Good Neighbors.

"Everything we're doing is what would Jay do," said president of the foundation and lifelong friend of Arno, James Fierro.

For those closest to Arno, now heading up his memorial foundation, there's four key focuses for the organization - the first of which is helping fundraise for logistic needs in first responder units.

"We've already had several discussions with leaders at Local 282 ... we've reached out to Buffalo Police Department to kind of see how we can help," Fierro said. "At the end of the day, we want to make sure that the work that we're doing is giving back to those boots on the ground, the firefighters and police officers."

The second focus is the high school that Fierro was classmates with Arno.

"Canisius High School was such a huge part of us growing up that we knew that we had to do something with them," he added. "So one part of it is, Canisius started the Jason D. Arno Memorial Scholarship Fund, geared towards incoming freshmen who are children of first responders. So everything we're doing, the first responder community is at the center of it."

While school may have helped shape who Arno was, a love of animals continued to feed service outside the firehall.

"So it's been proven many times over with veterans and you know, individuals suffering from PTSD or trauma, that emotional support dogs can really enhance, or all animals, can enhance the quality of life," said Tierney.

Just about every pet that found a home with Jason and wife Sarah was a rescue or adoption, and so they're working to connect more first responders and even veterans with that support.

"So it was just something that we were both really passionate about, and in accordance with the you know, the 'F.A.M.' mission," she added.

Last, but furthest from least, fundraising for a fund that would help families directly impacted by tragedies like this.

"So it was really just an all-hands-on-deck experience of calling people we knew from growing up calling different venues and putting it together," said Fierro. "I mean, it's taken off, way more than we would have thought. Everybody that you speak to, all they want to do is help."

The hope is that the day never comes when these funds are needed, but the reality is when the siren goes off, the need will be there.

"Hopefully we'll never have to do it for another family but you know, this will help create the resources to you know, to help someone else," said Tierney.