Washington D.C. – The nation will unite in solemn remembrance on Sunday, May 4, 2025, as the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) hosts the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Held in honor of 70 brave men and women who died in the line of duty in 2024, this national observance serves as a powerful tribute to the ultimate sacrifice made by America’s fire service heroes.
Created by the United States Congress in 1992, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring fallen firefighters and supporting their families and coworkers. Over the decades, the Foundation has expanded its mission to include a wide range of programs and services, fostering healing and preserving the legacies of those who gave their lives protecting others.
The annual Memorial Service, traditionally held in October, was permanently rescheduled to May beginning in 2023. The move aimed to provide a more reliable and weather-friendly timeframe for the solemn ceremony, while also avoiding potential disruptions from federal government shutdowns.
The Memorial Weekend will bring together families, fire departments, and supporters from across the country to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where the names of the fallen will be formally added to the memorial and read aloud in tribute.
For more information on the ceremony and ways to support the families of fallen firefighters, visit the official website of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
