Firefighters are people who are close to Denis Leary’s heart–his cousin and childhood friend were firefighters, and tragically, his cousin, friend and four other firefighters were killed in a 1999 Worchester, Mass. fire.

Leary, who also played a firefighter in “Rescue Me,” along with Jim Serpico, his partner at his production company Apostle, will executive produce the feature film “BURN,” a documentary about Detroit firefighters directed by Tom Putnman and Brenna Sanchez. The film is looking to show at the 2012 winter festival circuit and there are plans for a theatrical release.

In order to help fund the documentary, Leary and the team behind the film have created a Kickstarter campaign, which will offer experiences and custom items to financial donors, such as an autographed leather helmet signed by the “Rescue Me” cast, a set visit to “Boardwalk Empire” and Husqvarna Rescue Saws. Other funds for the film will come from Apostle. Up until this point, the film was financed primarily through grants and charitable donations including MSA, Cinereach, Apple and General Motors.

“This film will help raise the public’s awareness to the work firefighters around the country do, as well as the sacrifices they make, particularly in these times of severe budget cuts,” Leary said.

Also, in response to his friend and cousin’s tragic deaths, Leary established the Leary Firefighters Foundation in 2000, whose mission is to give funding and resources for fire departments in order for them to have the highest quality technology, equipment and training. The foundation also dedicated to help maintain communities’ highest level of public safety. A portion of the proceeds from “BURN” will go to The Leary Firefighters Foundation in order to purchase needed equipment for the Detroit Fire Department.

You can check out the Kickstarter page for the film here, and make sure to visit the homepages for The Leary Firefighters Foundation and “BURN.” To view the powerful trailer, scroll below the post.