The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Georgia firefighters:
Firefighter Shaun "Luke" Daniel, age 26, of the Georgia Forestry Commission, was part of a crew attacking hot spots from a large fire in the woods the previous day. While walking the fire line, he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated and he regained spontaneous pulses; however, by the time he was extricated from the woods to an ambulance, he went back into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead a short time later on 6/5/23.
Wildland Firefighter Stephen Richards, age 40, of the Georgia Forestry Commission, died on 10/17/2021 due to complications of COVID-19.
Firefighter Matthew Smith, age 41, of the Bartow County Fire and Emergency Services, participated in an interior search and rescue practical training exercise on 3/16/2023 at the Bartow County Fire & Emergency Services Training Center. He collapsed and became unresponsive during a search and rescue training exercise on 3/21/23 and was in cardiac arrest. He was immediately treated and transported to the hospital where he died. His death certificate states cardiopulmonary arrest as the cause of death.
Firefighter Ryan Taylor, age 40, of the City of Decatur Fire Department, died on 1/10/2016 due to a heart attack. He worked a 24-hour shift that began on 1/8/2016 during which he ran multiple calls. He experienced the onset of his heart attack within 24 hours of his last call.
Lieutenant Collin Veasley, age 48, of the Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services, died on 3/5/2022 due to complications of COVID-19.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2024 Roll of Honor.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
- The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
- The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
Schedule
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Candlelight Service
- Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm ET
- Streaming begins at 7:00 pm ET
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Memorial Service
- Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
- Streaming begins at 9:30 am ET
The NFFF will provide live satellite feeds of both events. Technical support is being provided by VISTA Worldlink, Comcast Beltway, and INTELSAT. Satellite coordinates can be found at live.firehero.org. Images from the 2023 Memorial Weekend are here.
Location
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
National Emergency Training Center (NETC)
16835 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
How Communities Can Participate
Those not attending Memorial Weekend in person can also pay tribute to this year’s honored firefighters. All can participate in Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (May 1 – 5) by lighting their homes, businesses, landmarks, or fire departments with red lights. Other ways to remember include Bells Across America, Sound the Sirens, and by signing a virtual Remembrance Banner.
In addition, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings on Sunday, May 5. The public is also encouraged to lower their American flags that day to recognize the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Public Access And Parking
Public parking for Memorial Weekend is at Liberty Mountain Resort (78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA). Shuttles from Liberty Mountain Resort will begin at 3:30 pm on Saturday, May 4 for the Candlelight Service and at 7:30 am on Sunday, May 5 for the Memorial Service.
Memorial Weekend is supported by individual and corporate donors, a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, and in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Social Media: #FireHero2024 #NFFF
Website: weekend.firehero.org
LOCATION if inclement weather:
PNC Stadium (ARCC)
Mount Saint Mary University
16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The United States Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to honor America's fallen firefighters. The mission is to honor America's fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues, and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park includes the National Fallen Firefighters Monument, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, a brick Walk of Honor, a September 11th memorial sculpture, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Bell of Remembrance. Information about the NFFF and the Memorial Park can be found here.
