Bells will ring from coast to coast as a grateful nation pauses on Sunday, May 3, 2026, to honor those firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2025 and previous years. Fire departments and their places of worship will join the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters, part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is asking communities, fire service organizations, and religious organizations to help us honor our fallen firefighters by participating in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters on May 2-3, 2026. A moment of remembrance can occur at any time leading up to and including the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Fire department representatives are encouraged to work with their clergy and community leaders to develop an appropriate tribute.
Reach out to your place of worship, local fire department(s), or community groups that you are involved in to organize a tribute for fallen firefighters. You may also want to add a special tribute to an existing event such as a sporting event, performance, or other local event.
We want to recognize your participation on our website, please share your event with us. The NFFF will list your event on our website and pin it on our special Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters map.
Once you have planned your event, invite family, friends, and neighbors using social media, email, newsletters, and list-serves.
A remembrance can occur at any time between May 2 – 3, 2026, leading up to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
The NFFF would like to feature examples of events to show our families how their loved ones were honored. We would also like to give future participants ideas to plan an event in their community. Email us at bells@firehero.org and/or share with #bellsforfirefighters2026
You can still have a moment of silence, prayer, song or other form of remembrance during your event. You can also ring a ceremonial bell during the service if you have one. Work with your organization to decide what’s right for your event.
Absolutely. You may want to have a moment of remembrance at each service and inform the congregants that the bells will ring in honor of the fallen firefighters at a certain time. Work with your clergy to decide what is best.
You can ring the bells in any manner.
Yes, we want as many people as possible to show their respect for the nation’s fallen firefighters and their survivors. We invite fire departments, religious organizations, community groups, scouting groups, fraternal organizations, civic associations, and high school, college and recreational sports teams.