Fallen Firefighters ceremony to be held virtually

NEWYORK » The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control announced the 23rd Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony will be held virtually as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Occurring each October during Fire Prevention Week, the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony honors those firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty and adds their names to the State’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial Wall at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. This year, the names of 21 fallen firefighters will be added to the Memorial Wall.

“Each year, New York state’s fire service community comes together to honor our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep their communities safe,” New York State Fire Administrator Francis ‘Skip’ Nerney remarked.

“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent us from holding our traditional ceremony this year. Nevertheless, we, like everyone else, will adapt to this new reality and ensure these heroes and their families get the recognition, respect, and gratitude they deserve,” Nerney added.

Dedicated in 1998, the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial honors the state’s fallen firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. As of October 6, 2020, there will be 2,596 names on the wall. The earliest name on the wall dates back to 1811.

Each year during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10), the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control holds the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

In 2020, the names of 21 fallen heroes will still be added to the Memorial Wall, however, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a condensed version of the ceremony featuring State Fire staff conducting the traditional reading of names and other pieces of the ceremony will be made available on the Memorial’s website.

Additionally, the families of all 2020 honorees will be invited to attend the 24th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial in 2021, so their loved ones can be recognized at a traditional in-person ceremony as well.