EMMITSBURG, Md. — Fire departments across the country will have the chance to participate in honoring fallen brothers as part of a new initiative coinciding with the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
The project aims to allow firefighters who are unable to attend the national ceremony in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to take part in formal services at their own local places of worship.
“During the Service, the bells at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel in Emmitsburg will ring to honor the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice this past year,” said Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF.
“We are encouraging fire departments across the country to invite their local prayer assemblies to join us in this poignant tribute to our fallen heroes with a prayer and ringing of the bells during their own services.”
Materials have been put together — including a draft invitation letter to churches and other places of worship — to enable departments to take part. This year’s Memorial Service will take place October 14 to 16, with the main events again being streamed online.
Molly Natchipolsky, who is helping to coordinate Bells Across America, said the nationwide remembrances do not need to coincide with the exact time of day as the Sunday service in Emmitsburg.
“The remembrance can occur at any time that’s appropriate during their service,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be at a specific time and can occur through multiple services for congregations throughout the day.”
During this year’s National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, about 90 firefighters’ names will be read out — including 72 from 2010.
“The Foundation has been working since 2004 within the Everyone Goes Home Program and trying to work with the entire fire service community,” Chief Siarnicki said.
“We feel we are part of that group and are together in pushing to reduce firefighter fatalities in America.
“Through that consolidated effort, we are pleased to say this year that the number of line-of-duty deaths we will honor for 2010 will be 72, which is the lowest number we have had in the history of the Foundation.”
The service will also honor several other firefighters who died in previous years and were unable to be included until now due to LODD status delays, Chief Siarnicki said.
For more information about participating in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters and to download the invitation letter and response form, visit the National Fallen Firefighters website, www.BellsAcrossAmerica.com.