Obama to Attend National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Service

President Barack Obama will speak Sunday at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Thousands are expected to attend the 34th annual ceremony during which a plaque with the names of 84 firefighters who died on duty in 2014, and three from previous years will be unveiled.

"The President looks forward to thanking our nation's firefighters for the extraordinary courage they display every day, particularly during these challenging times as communities across the Western United States combat the recent wildfires," a White House spokesman said in a prepared release.

The public is invited to attend the service.

The ceremony will be held on the grounds of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg.

However, contingency plans are underway as officials keep an eye on a storm making its way up the coast and a possible government shutdown. 

"Right now, we're hoping to have the service at the memorial," NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki said late Wednesday morning.

Two years ago, the shutdown forced officials to move the event to nearby Mount St. Mary's University.

More information about the annual memorial service will be posted as it becomes available.