The U.S. Fire Service will pay tribute to the lives of 75 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2016 and 20 firefighters who died in previous years during the 36th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, October 8, 2017.
The service begins at 10:00 a.m. (ET) at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland and is open to the public. During the service, a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen will be officially added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. These firefighters also will be remembered in a special Candlelight Service on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. (ET).
Just prior to Memorial Weekend, leaders of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus will help launch the annual memorial weekend tribute. It was 25 years ago that Congress passed legislation creating the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) as the only national organization to honor all fallen firefighters – career, volunteer, military, wildland and contract – and to offer support to their families.
Members of the Caucus will present 95 American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol to the NFFF during a brief ceremony in the Gold Room of the Rayburn Building on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. (ET). The flags will be displayed in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel until the service on Sunday when they will be presented to the survivors.
“Firefighters possess an extraordinary blend of courage and compassion which allows them to willingly face tremendous risks to help those in need,” said Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors. “The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is a testament to the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave men and women. All who visit the memorial throughout the year pause to honor these firefighters and reflect on the courage, sacrifice and strength of their survivors.”
More than 5,000 people, including families, friends, members of Congress, Administration officials and firefighters are expected to attend on Sunday. Firefighter Honor Guards and Pipe & Drum units from across the U.S. will participate in this national remembrance.
NFFF provides live satellite feed and streaming of ceremonies along with video of events for downloading courtesy of VISTA Worldlink and WUSA9.com. For a complete list of fallen firefighters being honored and a widget to display their information on your website go to https://weekend-firehero-org.mystagingwebsite.com. There you will also find Memorial Weekend streaming information, videos, photos, and satellite coordinates.
For more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, go to weekend.firehero.org. For information about Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters go to www.bellsacrossamerica.com.
