USFA
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C.-On Sunday, October 6, a nation will come together and remember its fallen firefighters during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. The Firefighters Memorial Weekend honors the brave men and women, recognizes their dedication to the fire service and memorializes their ultimate sacrifice. In a national expression of honor and respect to these firefighters and their survivors, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) Administrator, R. David Paulison, requests all fire departments throughout the nation, lower their flags to half-staff on Sunday, October 6.
"For a brief moment in time we, as a nation, have an opportunity to remember and pay our thanks to those among us who have given their lives in service to their communities. While the families of these fallen firefighters are here in Washington, D.C., joined by thousands of fire fighters from around the world, no greater expression of honor could be extended to them, than to lower all fire and emergency service department flags to half-staff. By doing so, we remind the nation of our constant watch and our commitment to be there whenever we as firefighters are called to duty," Paulison said.
A total of 446 firefighters will be honored. Among them are the 347 firefighters who perished in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, 95 firefighters who died in 34 states throughout the United States, and four firefighters who died in previous years.
This year's firefighter memorial weekend was moved from the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md to Washington, D.C., in order to accommodate the large numbers expected. All federal buildings will lower their flags to half-staff this Sunday in recognition of the contributions by all of America's firefighters.
The USFA is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
