NFFF Pays Tribute to 103 Fallen Firefighters
The 37th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service was held on Oct. 7, 2018, in Emmitsburg, MD. The U.S. Fire Service paid tribute to the lives of 80 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2017 and 23 firefighters who died in previous years.
The names of the firefighters were read, and their loved ones received an American flag that had been flown above the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the U.S. Capitol Dome. They were also presented with a red rose and a special personalized badge. During the ceremony, a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen was officially added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
“Memorials are created so there will always be a special place to remember and honor our loved ones,” said Chief Dennis Compton, chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Board of Directors. “In 1981, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was created to pay tribute to these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone who visits the memorial pauses to not only honor the fallen firefighters, but to also honor the strength and courage of their loved ones.”
More than 5,000 people, including families, friends, firefighters, members of Congress, and Administration officials, attended the ceremony. Firefighter Honor Guards and Pipe & Drum units from across the U.S. participated in this national remembrance.
For more information about the NFFF and the Memorial Weekend, go to firehero.org.
ISFSI Opens Instructor of the Year Award Nominations
The International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) has opened the nomination period for the George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award. This award recognizes individuals for extraordinary accomplishments in fire service training.
According to the ISFSI, the award winner will have:
- Displayed a deep commitment to furthering the cause of the fire service through training;
- Advanced the cause of firefighter operational effectiveness and safety;
- Gone above and beyond the call of duty in training;
- Brought creativity and innovation to fire training programs, or will have shown great persistence in pursuing an innovative program; and
- Served as a positive role model for other fire instructors and firefighters throughout the country.
The George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award marks individual accomplishments. Therefore, while members of an instructional team or ad-hoc training group, for example, will be considered, nominations in the name of a fire department or training academy are not eligible.
Nominations must be received by Dec. 31, 2018. The winner will be announced in April 2019.
To download a nomination form, visit isfsi.org.
Thousands Participate in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Firefighters, their families, friends and community members from across the nation gathered at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI, on Sept. 22 to participate in the sixth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Over 2,700 participants promised to “never forget” by honoring and remembering the 343 New York firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. This year’s event raised more than $135,000 with all proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and has again been recognized as one of the largest stair climbs in the nation.
“Each year, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department forms a team and we encourage community members to participate alongside those in fire service,” said Lt. Shauna Walesh, life safety educator/PIO with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. “It’s an honor to symbolically finish the climb that many firefighters were unable to complete that day.”
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb participants had the opportunity to ascend the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center while wearing a badge with the name and photograph of one of the fallen firefighters. At the 78th floor, the highest floor reached on 9/11, each climber rang a fire bell in honor of the individual on their badge.
“Since its inception, the Pierce Manufacturing team has been grateful for the opportunity to co-sponsor the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb along with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Not only is it an incredible day of remembrance and reflection, supporting the NFFF helps provide access to critical resources for survivors and co-workers of fallen firefighters.”
Since instituting a partnership with the NFFF, Pierce has helped raised more than $600,000 to support the NFFF’s mission to provide support and resources for the families of fallen firefighters. Through support networks, conferences, workshops and scholarships, the NFFF has lead a nationwide effort to develop and expand programming for the entire fire service community.
For more information about Pierce Manufacturing, the NFFF, and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, visit piercemfg.com/climb.
This Month in Fire History
Nov. 1, 1970, Grenoble, France—Dance hall fire kills 145
Nov. 6, 1896, Boston, MA—National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is founded
Nov. 9, 1872, Boston, MA—Great Boston Fire causes $73.5 million in damages
Nov. 15, 1973, Los Angeles, CA—Stratford Apartments home hotel fire kills 25
Nov. 21, 1968, Wichita, KS—Yingling Chevrolet Auto Dealership fire kills 4 firefighters
Nov. 21, 1980, Las Vegas, NV—MGM Grand Hotel fire kills 85
Nov. 23, 1963, Fitchville, OH—Golden Age nursing home fire kills 63
Nov. 28, 1942, Boston, MA—Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire kills 492
Nov. 29, 1988—Construction site explosion kills 6 firefighters
Courtesy of NFPA
Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.
