National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial
About the Memorial
National Fallen Firefighters'
Memorial are Flown at
Half-Staff In Honor of:
Salem Center Volunteer Fire Department
Pleasant Lake, Indiana
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kilpatrick
North Lake Fire Department
North Lake, Wisconsin
Firefighter Daniel Holmes
National Park Service
Three Rivers, California
Assistant Fire Chief William "Bill" Weborg
Ephraim Fire Department
Ephraim, Wisconsin
Conceived as a tribute to America's fire service, the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial is one of this country's most beautiful monuments to courage and unselfish service. Constructed in 1981 on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the Memorial was officially designated by Congress as the national Memorial to career and volunteer fallen firefighters in 1990. It is a symbol of honor for those who carry on the tradition of service to their communities.
The highlight of the Memorial is a sculptured bronze Maltese Cross. Throughout the centuries, the Maltese Cross has been adopted as a symbol by groups who provide aid in times of distress. The cross rests atop a 7-foot stone cairn, denoting its importance as a landmark monument. An eternal flame burns at the base of the cairn, representing the spirit of the firefighter—past, present, and future. A plaza in the shape of a Maltese Cross surrounds the Memorial. Plaques listing the names of firefighters killed in service to their communities since 1981 encircle the plaza. The area is framed on 2 sides by a 6-foot stone wall which dates back more than 100 years.
The Memorial is open to the public throughout the year. Thousands of students attending classes at NFA and EMI visit the Memorial each year. When a firefighter dies on duty, local fire officials notify the USFA. A notice of the death is immediately posted on the Memorial grounds, and the flags over the Memorial are flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen firefighter. If the established criteria is met, the fallen firefighter is honored at the annual memorial service.
Latest Updates
- FEMA Releases Report on Firefighter Fatalities in 2003 (10/06/04)
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and United States Fire Administration to Honor 109 Firefighters (4/22/04)
- Fire Service Organizations Release Initial Report Following Firefighter Life Safety Summit (4/14/04)
- National Summit to Address Line-of-Duty Death Prevention Initiative (01/29/04)
Download
Audio Recording Played at the Memorial Site
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Last Updated: October 14, 2004 10:57 AM
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and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Fire Administration, 16825 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727
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