A powerful film is being released this Firefighters’ Memorial Day (May 4) to tell the story of a scheme honouring firefighters killed in the line of duty.
The Red Plaque Scheme commemorates those firefighters who have paid the ultimate price in order to keep the public safe. The red plaques will be hung near to where firefighters have died or at the fire station where they were based. It is fully funded by proceeds raised from the Firefighters 100 Lottery.
The film follows the unveiling of the first red plaque in honour of firefighters Billy Faust and Adam Meere who lost their lives at a fire in Bethnal Green, London in 2004.
Held for the first time last year, the now annual Firefighters’ Memorial Day sees firefighters and supporters hold a minute’s silence on fire stations at midday.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, said:“Firefighters’ Memorial Day allows us to honour and remember the bravery and sacrifice made by firefighters who have paid the ultimate price in carrying out their duties. It is important we commemorate them as well as learn the lessons that come out of those tragedies to ensure firefighters are safer in the future.
“This year’s memorial day is particularly poignant as it is the first one after the Grenfell Tower fire last year. It is miraculous that no firefighters died or were seriously physically injured in that fire but it does bring into full focus the dangerous situations firefighters put themselves through in order to save lives.
“The Red Plaque Scheme means so much to the families of those who have lost loved ones and the firefighters they served with. The film, I think, illustrates this perfectly.”
The film can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/bPcRwPfsWng
