WASHINGTON’S FIRE FIGHTER MEMORIAL
The fire service has a long history of traditions that place the profession apart from others.
In 1985, the Washington State Fire Fighters’ Association placed a granite cairn at the fire training academy in North Bend marking the site as a fire fighter memorial. Many believe the recognition of fallen fire fighters who have given the ultimate sacrifice by serving their community needs to go further. The WSFFA believes there must be a firefighter’s memorial on the Capitol campus!
Therefore, the WSFFA has assumed the lead in a fund raising effort that will result in the construction of a Firefighter’s Memorial on the State Capital grounds. To that end, the WSFFA Firefighter Memorial Fund has been established. Donations are now being accepted. Proceeds shall be used in the planning, design, and construction of a memorial.
To take part in this worthy effort you can
1. Make your donations online (Click here)
2. Send your monetary donations to:
WSFFA F/F Memorial Fund
PMB 117 1910 E. 4th Ave. Olympia, WA 98506-4632
For further information contact:
WSFFA Memorial Fund wsffamemorial@wsffa.org
Memorial Fund Administrator Bill Terhune
Principle Firefighter Memorial Partners
Washington State Council of Firefighters
Washington Fire Chiefs
Washington Fire Commissioners Association
Washington State Fire Fighters’ Association
*Funds shall be specifically used for the design and construction of a State Firefighters memorial
Historical Information on the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Washington State
The WSFFA firefighter memorial service was born out of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. In 1985, the Washington State Fire Fighters’ Association established and held the first Washington State Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Service. A bronzed Firefighter Maltese Cross affixed to a granite cairn denotes the Memorial, located at the State Fire Training Academy in North Bend, Washington. A memorial service has since been held every year to recognize fire fighters who have died giving unselfish service to their profession and community.
In 2005 the Washington State Fire Fighters Association relocated the event to the State Capital. This was the first year that a Washington Governor (Governor Gregoire) addressed the attendees. This also marked the year where other prominent state fire service organizations joined together with the Washington State Fire Fighters Association to host the memorial.
In 2006 The Washington Fire Protection Policy Board, under the direction of the Board Chairman T.J. Nedrow, assumed the lead role in hosting the annual fallen fire fighter memorial service. The Policy Board maintained their role until 2009 legislation eliminated the Policy Board in a budget reduction move. In the same year the responsibility was transferred to the Washington Fire Chiefs Memorial Committee. More information regarding the annual Firefighter memorial can be found on the internet on Facebook at WA State Firefighter Memorial Service.
The fallen firefighter memorial service has continued to evolve over the years with honor guards and band components adding to the tradition with fellow fire fighters, friends, government officials, and citizens joining the family members at the Memorial event. During this service, a memorial ribbon for each firefighter is placed on the memorial pike pole held by the honor guard. A table is set for one with the following read aloud.
Firefighter Memorial Ceremony Table Setting
To my right is a table set for One
This table is set for the many members of our profession who are missing from our midst today.
To the community, they are firefighters
To us, they are our brothers and sisters
Please allow me to share the symbolism of this table that has been set for these firefighters.
The white tablecloth symbolizes the purity of their intentions to serve and respond to their department’s every call.
The red rose is for the families of the firefighter that sacrificed many precious holidays and celebrations so that they could serve their community in its time of need.
The white rose is for those firefighters that have witnessed tragedy and destruction first hand but were able to have kept everyone safe.
There is a slice of lemon on the plate, to remind us of the bitter fate of the lives lost to fire.
There is salt on the plate, symbolic of the tears that have been shed by friends and family when the last alarm has sounded for our brothers and sisters.
The glass on the table is inverted; as they can no longer toast with us.
The chair is empty as they are no longer here with us, but today we will forever etch in stone these community servants so that all of us gathered here today and all that will pass from this day forward will never forget them.
FAQ
Fallen Firefighters Memorial FAQ’s
What’s yet needed?
1. The fire service Firefighter memorial partners (FSFFP) must come together and lobby its case with the Washington State General Administration’s Grounds Committee for approval of the site and construction a firefighter memorial.
2. The FSFFP must secure the funding necessary to design, engineer, and construct the fallen firefighter memorial.
3. When will the memorial be built? The time for completion has not been set.
4. How much will it cost? The price has not yet been determined. It would not be out of bounds to assume it could cost upwards of $500.000.
5. You have special skill sets and want to help. Who do I contact? You can contact your organization’s leadership. Send your inquiry to wsffamemorial@wsffa.org