Local firefighters to sponsor and participate in National Fallen Firefighters Foundation observance

September 27, 2015

Every October, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. The survivors of the fallen and thousands of fire service members gather for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to honor the lives and sacrifices of these heroes. This year's event will be Sunday, October 4. It is a time-honored tradition to ring bells during funerals and memorial services for firefighters. Here in Bonners Ferry, a parade of fire apparatus will lead to City Fire's Main Station downtown at 2:00 p.m. on that Sunday afternoon to ring the fire house bells, reflect, read the list of those that lost their lives in the fire service last year, and encourage the living. Everyone is invited to attend. The Boundary County Chaplains Corps will be providing refreshments for the firefighters from all area departments and all those that come to support them. Providence Bible Presbyterian Church is the official church sponsor of this event through the Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters program, and all area churches are encouraged to participate by ringing their church bells at some time during the October 3-4 weekend. More information about the Bells Across America program may be found online at http://www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/about/bells-across-america/. For more information about our local remembrance, or to volunteer to assist with the event, please contact City Fire Chaplain Len Pine at 208-267-3327. PROCLAMATION, MAYOR OF BONNERS FERRY: Whereas, the United States Congress and the President of the United States have designated the day of the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service as a day to honor firefighters and emergency services personnel who have sacrificed their lives to save others by lowering the American flag on all federal buildings to half-staff; and Whereas, an average of 100 firefighters courageously make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty each year; and Whereas, the events of September 11, 2001, brought national attention to the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices faced by fire and emergency services personnel on a daily basis; and Whereas, firefighters and emergency services personnel play an essential role in the protection of lives and property in our local community, especially brought home to us here in Boundary County by the courageous and tireless work of hundreds of first responders during the recent Parker Ridge fire; and Whereas, the National Memorial Service marks the beginning of the annual Fire Prevention Week observance; and Whereas, it is of major importance that we increase our efforts to reduce deaths, injuries, and property losses from fire; Therefore, I, David Anderson of the City of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, now call upon all citizens of the City of Bonners Ferry and upon all patriotic, civic, and educational organizations to observe the day of October 4, 2015, in recognition of the patriotic service and dedicated efforts of our fire and emergency services personnel by lowering American flags on all buildings to half-staff. I encourage appropriate services and ceremonies in which all of our citizens may participate to honor fire and emergency services personnel, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to duties, have rendered invaluable service to our community and its citizens. I further call upon citizens of the City of Bonners Ferry to remember all fire and emergency personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community and to pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes. In witness thereof, I have hereto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Bonners Ferry to be affixed. David Anderson, Mayor City of Bonners Ferry, Idaho