NFFF to Honor 9/11-Related FDNY Firefighters Deaths During October Memorial

A memorial service will be held next month on Staten Island to honor 176 FDNY firefighters who have died of Sept. 11-related illnesses whose names have not been formally recognized at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD.

Family, friends and the fire service will gather for the special tribute at the College of Staten Island on Oct. 18.

“These firefighters exemplified unwavering courage and devotion to duty—not just on 9/11, but in the days, months, and years that followed,” FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said. “Their sacrifices must never be forgotten, and this tribute ensures their place in history is secured with honor and dignity.”

During the memorial service, a plaque will be unveiled with the names of firefighters who have succumbed to injuries and illness over the last 24 years. The names of the fallen will be read aloud during the service and the location allows family and friends to attend without the need to travel to Emmitsburg, MD.

"Having this memorial service locally in New York City holds deep emotional and symbolic significance," National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) CEO Victor Stagnaro told Firehouse.com. "It brings the recognition home, providing a space for families, friends, and fellow New Yorkers to pay tribute together. It allows the community that was directly impacted by 9/11 to come together and ensures these heroes are remembered amid the city's ongoing resilience and recovery."

All fallen firefighters who will be recognized in October will have their names added to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the National Fire Academy.

The NFFF has organized multiple fundraisers to support the October memorial service, including a series of firefighter appreciation nights at Yankee Stadium, which wraps up tomorrow night as the New York Yankees take on the Detroit Tigers.

"Fundraising enables the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to host the official ceremony and provide critical support to survivors. Donations help cover travel expenses for Fire Hero Families, create commemorative remembrance materials, and support the logistics necessary for a respectful and meaningful event," Stagnaro said. 

The day after the memorial service, the annual New York City 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk takes place at Icahn Stadium at 10 Central Road on New York City's Randall's Island, near the city's fire academy. You can also support the NFFF's on-going efforts through recurring or a one-time donation here.

The funds include college and trade school scholarships for families of the fallen and provide bereavement camps when survivors can gather and unite.

"These efforts not only honor the fallen but also help sustain their families by surrounding them with a supportive community," said Stagnaro.

The NFFF created a Roll of Honor that shares the stories of the nearly 200 firefighters who will be honored Oct. 18.

"This ceremony is part of a promise kept, that we will never forget those who risk everything in service to others. The memorial serves as an example of what it means to be devoted to duty, a commitment to excellence and responsibility in fulfilling the mission of the fire service, even in the face of danger. The special ceremony not only honors the fallen but also help build a lasting legacy for future generations to understand the true meaning of courage, dedication, and service" Stagnaro said.