NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL WEEKEND WILL HONOR AND REMEMBER 226 FIREFIGHTERS

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 Louisiana firefighters:

Captain Michael Ford Sr., age 44, of the Saint Tammany Fire District #1, died on 9/13/2019due to complications of cancer, deemed by the State of Louisiana to be a line-of-duty death.

Captain Walker Hill, age 48, of the Baton Rouge Fire Department, worked a shift at the Baton Rouge Fire Department Station #7 on 12/14/2022. During his shift, he responded to 8 calls. He was found by family members and crew at 7am the next morning at the station on the floor of the Captain's quarters, after not answering numerous calls. He was immediately treated and transported to the hospital where he died on 12/17/2022 due to a stroke.

Fire Prevention Officer Erick Kreppein, age 63, of the Saint Tammany Fire District #1, died on 4/14/1029, due to complications of cancer, deemed by the State of Louisiana to be a line-of-duty death.

Assistant Chief Thomas "TJ" Julius Maury Jr., age 39, of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans Fire and Rescue, died on 8/22/23, due to complications of cancer, deemed by the U.S. Department of Labor to be a line-of-duty death.

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