From the Ashes...
Phoenix Advocates was born out of unthinkable grief and shared trauma. We have a strong desire to make first responders' jobs safer so that other families don't have to live the nightmare of a Line of Duty Death.
Celeste Flynn's husband, Lieutenant Nathan (Nate) Flynn, was killed on July 23, 2018. He was a thirteen-year veteran of Howard County Fire & Rescue Services, Maryland. The cause of Nate’s fire was determined to be lightning induced failure of the residential Corrugated Stainless-Steel Tubing (CSST), used in the home's propane delivery system. In addition to his wife Celeste, Nate is survived by five children: Alex, Gavin, twins Teagan & Connor, and Breccan.
Jenn Alcorn's husband, Lieutenant Andrew "Stew" Alcorn, died on August 22, 2021, and was a 14-year veteran of the Frederick City Police Department. Stew died suddenly at home, on a Sunday, due to what was determined to be severe coronary artery disease after suffering a pulmonary embolus most likely as a result of dehydration from a triathlon he completed the day before his death. In May 2022 Stew's death was determined by the State of Maryland Workers Compensation Commission to have been causal to his occupation as a police officer. In addition to his wife Jenn, Stew is survived by his children Drew, Mackenzie, and Addison.
Sara Laird’s husband, Battalion Chief Joshua (Josh) Laird, was killed on August 11, 2021. Josh was a twenty-one-year veteran of Frederick County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Maryland. The cause of Josh’s fire was determined to be lightning induced failure of the residential CSST, used in the home's propane delivery system. In addition to his wife Sara, Josh is survived by his daughters Erin and Madelyn.
Julie Paidar’s husband, Captain Michael (Mike) Paidar, died on August 26, 2020, following a six-month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Mike’s family petitioned the State of Minnesota for a line-of-duty death determination. In November 2021, Minnesota’s Commissioner of Public Safety ruled Mike’s death a line-of-duty death, marking the first occupational cancer LODD determination in the state. In 2023, Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act in Mike’s honor. The legislation was signed into law in December 2025, recognizing occupational cancer under the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program. In addition to his wife Julie, Mike is survived by his children Matthew and Meghan.
United in Progress...
Phoenix Advocates was born out of unthinkable grief and shared trauma. We have a strong desire to make first responders' jobs safer so that other families don't have to live the nightmare of a Line of Duty Death.
Celeste Flynn's husband, Lieutenant Nathan (Nate) Flynn, was killed on July 23, 2018. He was a thirteen-year veteran of Howard County Fire & Rescue Services, Maryland. The cause of Nate’s fire was determined to be lightning induced failure of the residential Corrugated Stainless-Steel Tubing (CSST), used in the home's propane delivery system. In addition to his wife Celeste, Nate is survived by five children: Alex, Gavin, twins Teagan & Connor, and Breccan.
Jenn Alcorn's husband, Lieutenant Andrew "Stew" Alcorn, died on August 22, 2021, and was a 14-year veteran of the Frederick City Police Department. Stew died suddenly at home, on a Sunday, due to what was determined to be severe coronary artery disease after suffering a pulmonary embolus most likely as a result of dehydration from a triathlon he completed the day before his death. In May 2022 Stew's death was determined by the State of Maryland Workers Compensation Commission to have been causal to his occupation as a police officer. In addition to his wife Jenn, Stew is survived by his children Drew, Mackenzie, and Addison.
Sara Laird’s husband, Battalion Chief Joshua (Josh) Laird, was killed on August 11, 2021. Josh was a twenty-one-year veteran of Frederick County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Maryland. The cause of Josh’s fire was determined to be lightning induced failure of the residential CSST, used in the home's propane delivery system. In addition to his wife Sara, Josh is survived by his daughters Erin and Madelyn.
Julie Paidar’s husband, Captain Michael (Mike) Paidar, died on August 26, 2020, following a six-month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Mike’s family petitioned the State of Minnesota for a line-of-duty death determination. In November 2021, Minnesota’s Commissioner of Public Safety ruled Mike’s death a line-of-duty death, marking the first occupational cancer LODD determination in the state. In 2023, Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act in Mike’s honor. The legislation was signed into law in December 2025, recognizing occupational cancer under the federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program. In addition to his wife Julie, Mike is survived by his children Matthew and Meghan.
United in Progress...
- CSST Awareness
- Fireground Safety
- Occupational Disease recognition
- Risk Reduction
- Family Support
- Industry Change
- Community Rehabilitation