The family of each fallen firefighter is assigned a fire-service Escort to assist them while they are on-campus during the Memorial Weekend. The Memorial Weekend is a time for sharing and healing for the families of our fallen firefighters and it means a lot to them to have a member of the fire service accompany them throughout the events. Whether you are a member of the department of a fallen firefighter or a member of the extended fire service family, your involvement is very important. Escorts who have accompanied families to weekend events in the past describe it as an unforgettable experience.
Applications
The process of becoming a family escort begins with an application. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation fills available family escort positions through an annual process in which more than 300 individuals will apply for this role, of which approximately 225 will be selected, with priority being given to personnel who have a fallen firefighter being honored in the current year. The application submission platform opens in mid-February, and notifications to apply online are sent out via email.
DO NOT make any travel arrangements until you receive confirmation from the Foundation that you have been accepted as a Family Escort.
Security
The National Fire Academy (NFA)/National Emergency Training Center (NETC) requires a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check for entry to the facility. This process involves submitting personally identifiable information to NETC Security staff, who then conduct the check.
ALL family escorts must complete and clear an NCIC background check to participate in the Weekend activities. NO EXCEPTIONS.
To submit your contact information for consideration, please complete the form below.
Lodging & Meals
Family Escorts are responsible for making all travel arrangements and covering expenses (such as airfare, rental car, parking, and tolls) to and from Emmitsburg to participate in Weekend activities. They must also purchase a meal ticket to dine in the on-site dining hall during the Weekend.
If you are approved for on-campus housing, a room will be provided for you on Friday and Saturday nights at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and only fire service members participating as Family Escorts for the Weekend events are eligible for on-campus housing.
Family members or friends attending the Weekend events must make their own reservations at a local hotel and are permitted on campus only during designated public hours. Family members or friends who attempt to access campus outside of the public times will be denied entry.
Onsite Check-in & Orientation
If you are selected to serve as a Family Escort, you must make travel plans to arrive for check-in between 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026. Escorts who fail to check in on Friday will forfeit their ability to participate, and their on-campus housing (if requested) will be withdrawn for the weekend. To receive your Memorial Weekend credentials, which grant you access to campus, you must present a valid REAL ID or U.S. passport at check-in on Friday to verify your identity.
Each escort will receive a handbook before the Memorial Weekend to help them prepare for their role. A mandatory Escort orientation will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, starting at 9:00 am.
One of the best things a firefighter co-worker ever did for me was introduce me to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend as a Family Escort. It is an honor and a privilege to spend a weekend with a Fire Hero Family, as the nation pays tribute to the life and legacy their loved one has left behind. We are our brothers' and sisters' keeper, this includes their surviving families.