Firefighters’ Memorial Day is being marked with a minute’s silence around the country at midday tomorrow.
Firefighters’ Memorial Day falls on 4 May every year, and honours firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Over 2,300 such deaths are recorded by the Firefighters’ Memorial Trust.
The minute’s silence will take place on the forecourts of fire stations and other fire and rescue service workplaces, with many of the UK’s circa 54,000 fire and rescue service employees participating.
Members of the community, local politicians and families of fallen firefighters may also be in attendance at the minute’s silences around the country.
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said:
“This a huge moment of unity for us all as we come together to remember the courage and sacrifice of fallen firefighters. We must make sure the firefighters who died protecting their communities are remembered and honoured. As a union representing firefighters across the UK, we are proud to commemorate those have who come before us and to recognise their sacrifice and their contribution to the safety of people in our communities.”
The Fire Brigades Union and Firefighters’ Memorial Trust are laying a wreath at the National Firefighters’ Memorial by St Paul’s Cathedral in London, with the union’s general secretary Matt Wrack, president Ian Murray and Fire Brigades Union members all set to be present.
The event at St Paul’s will consist of people gathering by the National Firefighter’s Memorial (Carter Ln, Peter's Hill, London EC4V 5EY) at 11.30, with a wreath laying and a minute’s silence at 12. FBU members are more than welcome to attend. The National Firefighter’s Memorial is situated at the corner of Sermon Lane and Carter Lane, a few minutes’ walk away from the Millennium Bridge.
An Early Day Motion for Firefighters’ Memorial Day has been tabled in Parliament, and has been signed by 16 MPs.
If you’d like to find out more about minute’s silences local to you, please contact your local brigade or branch officials. Contact details are available here.
You can read more about Firefighters’ Memorial Day, and Fire Brigade Union memorial activities more broadly, by going to https://www.fbu.org.uk/campaigns/remembering-our-fallen-heroes.
