National Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Our mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.

Sponsor the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend

Each October, the Foundation sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the weekend activities held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Weekend features special programs for survivors and coworkers along with moving public ceremonies.

Help survivors attend the Weekend

The Foundation provides travel, lodging, and meals for immediate survivors of fallen firefighters being honored. This allows survivors to participate in Family Day sessions conducted by trained grief counselors and in the private and public tributes.

Offer support programs for survivors

When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, the Foundation provides survivors with a place to turn. Families receive emotional assistance through a Fire Service Survivors Network, which matches survivors with similar experiences and circumstances. Families receive a quarterly newsletter and specialized grief publications. Our Web site provides extensive information on survivor benefits, Foundation programs, and other resources.

Award scholarships to fire service survivors

Spouses, children, and stepchildren of fallen firefighters are eligible for scholarship assistance for education and job training costs.

Help departments deal with line-of-duty deaths

Under a Department of Justice grant, the Foundation offers training to help fire departments handle a line-of-duty death. Departments receive extensive pre-incident planning support. Immediately after a death, a Chief-to-Chief Network provides technical assistance and personal support to help the department and the family.

Work to prevent line-of-duty deaths

With the support of fire and life safety organizations, the Foundation has launched a major initiative to reduce firefighter deaths. Our goal is to reduce line-of-duty firefighter deaths by 25 percent in 5 years.

Create a National Memorial Park

The Foundation is expanding the national memorial site in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to create the first permanent national park honoring all firefighters. The park includes a brick Walk of Honor that connects the Memorial Chapel and the official national monument.