By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
WASHINGTON — In anticipation of D.C.'s Firefighter Memorial Day, memorial helmets will be installed throughout the city to honor D.C. firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Since 1856, 102 D.C. firefighters have died in the line of duty. Their ultimate sacrifice will now be honored with the installation of memorial helmets at locations throughout the city where they lost their lives, WUSA9 reported.
Gray fire helmets will be hung at light posts, with plaques attached. A QR code will take readers to the DC Fire and EMS Foundation website where they can learn more about the fallen firefighter.
“On May 6, 2015, we lost a close friend, phenomenal officer, unbelievable firefighter, Lt. Kevin McCrae,” Capt. Dennis Carmody said. “At 1330 7th Street, Northwest. After he was killed, someone anonymously painted a fire helmet gray and hung it from a lamp post in front of that building.”
That single tribute inspired the project. Carmody said they have been collecting old helmets, raising money and securing sponsorships.
Over the next several months, 102 gray helmets will be installed to honor D.C.'s fallen firefighters, including the five who died at 8th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW in 1896, the department’s greatest loss of life in a single incident.