Sept. 16, 2023 • Colorado Springs, Colorado
Located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, the Memorial honors the sacrifice made by IAFF members who have given their lives in the line of duty.
The 2023 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial ceremony will honor those members who died or whose name were submitted between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2022.
Download the IAFF app to receive the most up-to-date event information. Additional directions on how to use the IAFF app and find your loved one’s name on the wall can be found here.
All IAFF members are encouraged to wear Class A dress uniforms and to register online. Registration for family and Honor Guard is open until Aug. 1. Make sure to book your hotel and travel before registering.
Family Greeting and Hotel Transportation
Beginning Thursday, Sept. 14, the IAFF and members of Colorado Springs, CO Local 5 will staff a Family Greeting and Hotel Transportation Center at the Colorado Springs Airport to direct you to your hotel shuttle and provide any needed assistance. The Family Greeting and Transportation Center will be located outside the secure area on the baggage claim level.
Information and Transportation Center
The Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Information and Transportation Center will be located in the main lobby at The Antlers Hotel. The IAFF and members from Colorado Springs Local 5 will assist with any of your transportation needs, including shuttles to the Memorial site, restaurant transportation, and return to Colorado Springs airport shuttles, as well as any needed assistance and information. The Information and Transportation Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Thursday and Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. On Saturday, shuttles to the Memorial site will begin at 8:30 a.m. at 20-minute intervals; shuttles back to the hotel will begin at the conclusion of the Memorial service. The last shuttle to the Memorial will be at 10:30 a.m. to ensure that everyone is at the park for the start of the service. On Sunday, there will be shuttles to the Colorado Springs Airport beginning at 4 a.m. and every 30 minutes until 6 p.m.
Due to higher demand, please allow additional time for shuttle service.
IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Office
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Office is located in Summit Ballroom I and II, just off the lobby area of The Antlers Hotel. IAFF staff will assist you and answer questions regarding Memorial activities.
IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Registration
Registration for all family members and Honor Guard will begin on Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Heritage Ballroom of The Antlers Hotel. At registration, each family member will be provided with credentials and an information packet. Family members are asked to provide proper pronunciation of their loved one’s name for the readers.
IAFF Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums
The Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums will meet on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Memorial Site. The meeting will provide details regarding the events leading to the Memorial service and address Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums participation at the service, including the presentation of the IAFF flag. On both Friday and Saturday, Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums practices will take place at the Memorial site (9 a.m. Friday; 8 a.m. Saturday), with Honor Guard-only shuttles departing for the site at 7 a.m. All meetings and practice sessions require mandatory attendance by ALL members of the Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums.
Family Informational Video
Memorial Site Information
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, located in the shadow of Pikes Peak, honors the sacrifice made by IAFF members who serve as professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel and have given their lives in the line of duty. The Memorial is lit at night. Colorado Springs Fire Explorers will provide tracing paper and pencils to trace names from the Wall of Honor. Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall Diagram
Directions to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial
From Southbound I-25: Take the Bijou Street exit East to Cascade Avenue. Turn right on Cascade (South) to Pikes Peak Avenue. Turn left on Pikes Peak (East) and continue to Hancock Avenue.
From Northbound I-25: Take Cimarron Street exit (Highway 24) East to Wahsatch Street. Turn left (North) on Wahsatch to Colorado Avenue. Turn right on Colorado Avenue (East) and continue to Hancock Avenue.
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is located on the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Hancock Avenue. Turn right (South) on Hancock and then left into the first park entrance.
Helpful Colorado Springs Websites
The transportation number: (267) 607-FFFM (3336) or (337) 962-8280
Wednesday, Sept. 13
12 – 11 p.m. | Family Greeting/Hotel Transportation | Colorado Springs Airport |
Thursday, Sept. 14
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | IAFF Store | Summit III, The Antlers |
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. | IAFF Transportation Services | IAFF Authorized Hotels |
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Family Greeting/Hotel Transportation | Colorado Springs Airport |
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Family Information Desk | Main Lobby, The Antlers |
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Honor Guard Registration | Heritage Ballroom, The Antlers |
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Family Registration | Heritage Ballroom, The Antlers |
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Shuttles to Memorial Site | Main Lobby, The Antlers |
4 – 6 p.m. | Mandatory Honor Guard Meeting | Memorial Site |
Friday, Sept. 15
7 a.m. | Honor Guard Shuttle to/from Memorial Site | Main Lobby, The Antlers |
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Honor Guard Registration | Heritage Ballroom, The Antlers |
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | IAFF Store | Summit III, The Antlers |
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. | IAFF Transportation Services | IAFF Authorized Hotels |
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Family Greeting/Hotel Transportation | Colorado Springs Airport |
8 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Family Information Desk | Main Lobby, The Antlers |
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Mandatory Honor Guard Practice | FFFM Site |
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Family Registration | Heritage Ballroom, The Antlers |
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Shuttles to Memorial Site | Main Lobby, The Antlers |
4 – 6:30 p.m. | Family & Friends Gathering | Weidner Field |
8 p.m. | Massed Pipes & Drums Band Parade | 21 S. Tejon Street |
Saturday, Sept. 16
7 – 9:30 a.m. | Family Breakfast Buffet | Heritage Ballroom, The Antlers |
6 a.m. UPDATED | Honor Guard Shuttle to Memorial Site | IAFF Authorized Hotels |
7 a.m. UPDATED | Mandatory Honor Guard Practice | FFFM Site |
8 – 10:30 a.m. | IAFF Store | Summit III, The Antlers |
8 a.m. – 12 a.m. | IAFF Transportation Services | IAFF Authorized Hotels |
10 a.m. | Ride of Honor Arrival | FFFM Site |
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Family Shuttle to Memorial Service (20-minute intervals) | IAFF Authorized Hotels |
9 – 11 a.m. | Family Information Desk | Main Lobby, The Antlers |
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Memorial Service | FFFM Site |
Following Ceremony until 4 p.m. | Flag Drop-off for Shipping | Flag Tent, FFFM Site |
Following Ceremony | Shuttle to Hotels | FFFM Site |
3 – 5 p.m. | IAFF Store | Summit III, The Antlers |
8 p.m. | Massed Pipes & Drums Band Parade | 21 S. Tejon Street |
Sunday, Sept. 17
4 a.m. – 6 p.m. (every half hour) | Gray Line Shuttle to Airport | IAFF Authorized Hotels |
Directions to the Memorial
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is located at 1315 E Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 – on the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Hancock Avenue.
See it on Google maps.
From Southbound I-25: Take the Bijou Street exit East to Cascade Avenue. Turn right on Cascade (South) to Pikes Peak Avenue. Turn left on Pikes Peak (East) and continue to Hancock Avenue. Turn right (South) on Hancock and then left into the first park entrance. The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is located on the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Hancock Avenue.
From Northbound I-25: Take Cimarron Street exit (Highway 24) East to Wahsatch Street. Turn left (North) on Wahsatch to Colorado Avenue. Turn right on Colorado Avenue (East) and continue to Hancock Avenue. Turn right (South) on Hancock and then left into the first park entrance. The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is located on the corner of Pikes Peak Avenue and Hancock Avenue.
Shuttles
An IAFF transportation system – (267) 607-FFFM (3336) – will be operating a shuttle service to and from the following hotels:
- The Antlers
- Best Western/Quality Inn – pick up at Quality Inn
- Courtyard by Marriott
- DoubleTree
- Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
- Hampton Inn & Suites I-25 South
- Hilton Garden Inn Briargate
- Hilton Garden Inn Colorado Springs Downtown
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Colorado Springs Central
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Hyatt Place Colorado Springs/Downtown
- La Quinta Inn & Suites – South/Airport
- The Mining Exchange
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Spring Hill Suites
- Staybridge Suites North
The IAFF does not provide transportation to the Denver Airport.
The IAFF does not provide transportation to hotels other than those listed above.
The IAFF does not provide transportation to AirBnB or VRBO rentals, private homes, campgrounds, RV parks, or dispensaries.
Car Rentals
- Hertz (800) 654-2240
- Alamo (888) 826-6893
- National (888) 826-6890
- Avis (719) 586-2751
- Budget (719) 597-1271
- Enterprise (719) 591-6644. Enterprise AFL-CIO Discounted Rates
Flights
The IAFF has contracted with the following major airlines to provide airfare discounts:
Air Canada – MMZFNMN1
This a promotion code for the convention product. To book a flight with your promotion code, go to aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the search panel.
Delta – NY257
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for IAFF events. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (CT) and refer to meeting event code NY257. *Please note, there is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
United – ZMRK254340
We are pleased to partner with United Airlines for air travel to our upcoming event. To make flight reservations online, please click the discount code: ZMRK254340. Or you may call the United Reservations Meetings Desk (Monday-Friday) at 800.426.1122 for booking assistance.
The alternative airport is Denver International Airport, which is approximately 75 miles from Colorado Springs. Car rentals and taxis are available, as well as the Groome Transportation shuttle, which operates from the Denver Airport to Colorado Springs Airport.
Visit www.groometransportation.com for schedules and pricing.
Who Can Participate
All IAFF affiliate Honor Guards and IAFF Pipes and Drums are again invited to participate in the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Observance in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is an IAFF Memorial; all members of the Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums must be active members, active retirees, or alumni in good standing. IAFF Honor Guard Commander Bruce Brown will serve as the U.S. West Coast Coordinator; IAFF Honor Guard Deputy Commander Brent Jones will serve as the U.S. East Coast Coordinator; and IAFF Honor Guard Deputy Commander John Sobey will serve as the Canadian Coordinator. Coordinating the Pipes and Drums will be IAFF Pipe Major Hunter Schappaugh.
What to Bring
Any Honor Guard units attending the observance are asked to bring any state/local union flags, department flags, and harnesses and ceremonial pike poles/axes for use during the ceremony. Please mark your equipment to ensure that it is returned to you in the event a member of another local borrows it. Please do not bring any National Colors.
Ground Rules
To maintain the solemnity of the ceremony and to ensure the quality of the band, the IAFF has established some ground rules.
- IAFF Membership: This is an IAFF Memorial; all members of the Honor Guard and Massed Band must be members in good standing. If you have a civilian or sworn public safety officer associated with your Honor Guard or band, they are welcome to play with the mass band on Tejon Street on Friday and Saturday night.
- Registration: All individuals participating in the Memorial on Saturday afternoon must be registered for the event and must go to the Honor Guard Registration located at The Antlers Hotel to receive credentials. These credentials must be on your person to participate at practice, walkthroughs, and ceremony.
- Alcohol: At no time during the Memorial weekend will open containers of alcohol be tolerated at Memorial Park.
- Tent City: Tent City will remain on the athletic field within the assigned boundaries. It will open at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. For security purposes, nothing should be left overnight. Camping in city parks is against city ordinance. Trailers and vehicles will not be allowed to park directly next to the upper field, in the street, or in the dirt lot below the Memorial. Due to the limited space in the parking lot, it may be necessary to limit the amount of space each unit may occupy.
- Buying and Selling: There will be no selling of anything during the ceremony, including the distribution of food. Please remember that we do not want anything to distract families or take away from the solemn tone of the Memorial.
Registration Procedures
All individuals participating in the Memorial on Saturday afternoon are required to register online prior to the event and must go to the Honor Guard Registration located at The Antlers Hotel to receive credentials. Please contact the respective IAFF Honor Guard or Pipe/Drum Coordinator below with any questions.
Scheduled Events
- Mandatory Honor Guard Registration – The Antlers Hotel (Heritage Ballroom), 4 South Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs
- Thursday, Sept. 14 / 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 15 / 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Mandatory meeting: Thursday evening, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. (Memorial Site)
- Mandatory practice: Friday, Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. and Saturday, Sept. 16 at 8 a.m. (both days are mandatory).
Shuttles to the Memorial site begin at 7 a.m. both days from the lobby of The Antlers. Friday’s practice typically ends by 3 p.m.
Contacts
- IAFF Honor Guard Commanders West of the Mississippi River:
Bruce Brown
[email protected]
(714) 651-7004 - IAFF Honor Guard Commanders East of the Mississippi River:
Brent Jones
[email protected]
(414) 659-3363 - IAFF Honor Guard Commanders From Canada:
John Sobey
[email protected]
(613) 203-2220 - All Pipers and Drummers:
Hunter Schappaugh
[email protected]
(713) 417-8348
IAFF Pipes and Drums and Honor Guard Website
Information on IAFF member Pipes and Drums and Honor Guards is available here. This site includes every IAFF-affiliated Pipes and Drums, as well as IAFF-affiliated Honor Guards that serve state and provincial wide. Contact information is included as well as all music that is played during our Memorial service. If you need to update your band or Honor Guard information or if your band or Honor Guard is not included, please enter/update your information using the website.
The IAFF will personally contact the families of all fire fighters to be honored in the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Observance. The IAFF will also send information about the Memorial ceremony and accommodations to the families and to the president of the local where the death occurred.
Each family member attending the Memorial must register online by Aug. 1 to ensure attendance. For more information or assistance, email [email protected].
Each pre-registered family member will receive information packets, credentials and reserved seating assignments at the registration offices in The Heritage Ballroom at The Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs. Packets will be available beginning Thursday, Sept. 14 at 9 a.m.
We had a few of our Downtown businesses host special offers for the IAFF while you’re here. You can find them here.
Sightseeing Tours
A world-famous, magnificent park of red sandstone formations over 300 million years old. The Garden offers the best hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, and photography in the region. Be sure to stop in at the Visitors Center and Colorado’s largest GARDEN OF THE GODS TRADING POST where you will find Native American jewelry, Navajo rugs, sand paintings, and Pueblo pottery. And, try a buffalo burger at the BALANCED ROCK CAFÉ. Wear comfortable walking shoes!
Thursday
28 seats available per tour
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 – 4 p.m.
You must sign up at the Family Registration Excursions Table for these tours.
Friday
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
12:45 p.m.– 3:45 p.m.
THE BROADMOOR MANITOU AND PIKES PEAK COG RAILWAY
The Cog has been climbing Pikes Peak, known as America’s Mountain, since 1891! It is recognized as the world’s highest cog railroad. You will love a visit to the new state-of-the-art Pikes Peak Visitor Center located at 14,115 feet! Make sure you try the high-altitude donuts. (The donut machine had to be placed before the construction walls were finished!)
Please order tickets ONLINE AT cograilway.com USING CODE: FFFM23 for a 15% discount. Offer valid from Wednesday 9/13 to Sunday 9/17.
IMPORTANT: Report to Cog Ticket Office 30 Minutes prior to trip to confirm trip!
FYI: 1:20 p.m. trip overlaps Weidner Field event scheduled for Friday 4:00 p.m.
**The round-trip tour is 3 hours and 10 minutes including 30-40 minutes observation and shopping at the summit.
SEATING OPTIONS: Two options for seating through website:
- Standard Seating – Seats first available – no guarantee your party will sit together.
- Reserved Seating – Choose seats for guaranteed seating.
PLEASE NOTE: You will need to arrange your own transportation to the Cog. IAFF will be unable to assist with transportation. SUGGESTIONS: Uber, Lift, ZTrip rideshare options to the Cog or to Hiawatha Gardens on the edge of Manitou Springs to catch the Manitou Springs FREE Shuttle. Going through Manitou Springs is a SLOW drive. PLEASE START EARLY. You must arrive 30 MINUTES before departure time. Leave at least one hour before train departure time.
UNITED STATES OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC MUSEUM
This new museum is within walking distance of The Antlers Hotel. Explore galleries and exhibits, read stories of Team USA athletes, and participate in your own Olympic Trials!!
GO ONLINE AT usopm.org TO PURCHASE FFFM GROUP RATE TICKETS WITH CODE: MEMORIAL
Code is available for online pre-purchased tickets or for tickets at the front desk September 13-17:
$15.95 (adults 13+)
$9.95 (children 5-12)
Free (4 and under)
Be sure to enjoy a meal at the Flame Café and to visit the Museum Shop for Olympic Apparel and gifts.
Hours:
Sunday-Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (enter before 3:30 p.m.)
Saturday 9 AM – 6 PM (enter before 4:30 PM)
Colorado Springs’ finest restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and specialty shops in a setting of historical buildings. Make sure you stop in at the world famous MICHAEL GARMAN GALLERY to view fire fighter sculptures and to tour the incredible MAGIC TOWN.
Thursday and Friday
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Most shops close between 5:30 – 6 p.m.
Transportation continues if you would like to dine in Old Colorado City.
There will be a continuous loop to and from Old Colorado City.
The drop off/pick up site is the corner of Colorado and Colbrunn. (Michael Garman Gallery)
DOWNTOWN COLORADO SPRINGS
Great shopping, dining, and beautiful city park. Please see the Colorado Springs Visitor’s Guide for maps, shopping guides and restaurant guide. A QR code for the Dining Guide is at Family Registration and the Family Welcome Center at the front of the Antlers Hotel.
Thursday, and Friday
There will be a continuous loop to and from Downtown Colorado Springs.
The drop of/pick up site is The Antlers Hotel/Colorado & Tejon corner.
- Please sign up for the Garden of the Gods excursion with personnel at the Family Registration table. The staff will set up transportation for Garden of the Gods.
- Transportation is limited – please give as much notice as possible.
- All departures and returns will be from The Antlers Hotel
Itinerary of IAFF-MG Events in Colorado Springs
Thursday, Sept. 14 / 6 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
2035 Aerotech Dr, Colorado Springs 80916
IAFF-MG Meet and Greet for IAFF-MG members and friends, including pizza and beverages.
Friday, Sept. 15 / 9 a.m.
Day Ride
Pike’s Peak Harley Davidson
The IAFF-MG’s Colorado Chapter is planning a day ride in the area. Meet at 0900 at Pike’s Peak Harley Davidson for safety briefing and ride waivers (and coffee and donuts).
Saturday, Sept. 16 / 8 a.m.
Ride of Honor and IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial
- Remember to wear a long-sleeve white shirt under your colors.
- IAFF-MG riders will pre-stage at 0800 for the Ride of Honor in the IRS Offices parking lot across from the old Elegante Hotel – 2864 S Circle Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
- We will sign our ride waivers and then ride as a group to the main staging area at the University Village Shopping Center (5262 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918).
- We will then ride to Memorial Park and attend the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial where we will pay honor to our brother and sister fire fighters that have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities and country.
*** Pipes and Drums will be doing their Tejon Street performance both Friday and Saturday evenings***
*** A bike wash will be set up at CSFD station 4 and at the Doubletree so your ride can be nice and shiny for the Ride of Honor. ***
Media Contact
Contact IAFF Press Secretary Tim Burn for all media inquiries at [email protected]. Media planning to attend the ceremony are encouraged to notify the IAFF at this number.
A pool feed of the ceremony will be available to all media. Multi-boxes will be set up, and other media needs can be accommodated.
Contact Us
IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial
1750 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
[email protected]
High-Altitude Tips
- Reduce alcohol, caffeine, and salty foods.
- Drink 3 or 4 times more water than usual.
- Get plenty of rest before and during your stay.
- Take it easy! Your heart is working harder at this altitude, so quit while you’re ahead if you are tired.
- Wear sunscreen – you receive 30% more ultraviolet radiation up here than at sea level!
- Wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection even on cloudy days.
- Eat high carbohydrate meals, limiting fat and protein, for the first few days at altitude.
High-Altitude Sickness Symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea
- Unusual tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
High-altitude sickness symptoms usually go away in a day or two, but if you develop a worsening cough or feel like you have fluid in your lungs – see a doctor immediately! When in doubt, seek medical help!
Tips, especially for Pikes Peak
- Drink large amounts of water before your trip.
- Continue to drink water during your trip.
- Take a jacket no matter what the weather is in Colorado Springs.
- The best time to go is in the morning as afternoon often has poor weather and visibility.
The Wall
They’ve come from every walk of life,
they’ve come from every region.
We honor their heroic deeds,
on this black wall their names emblazon.
Each one, a different story tells
of bitter tragedy,
of courage-etched upon this wall,
lives given for community.
The world won’t long remember them
without this monument-
Our globe, awash in suffering,
where countless other lives are spent.
But in this honored, reverent place,
their memories brightly shine
On this green field beneath the Rockies,
thankful hearts a tribute find.
When men and women ask the question,
“What do firefighters risk for me?”
These names in granite answer back,
“We’ve purchased your security
with precious offering of our lives,
with families torn by grief,
with fervent sacrificial duty-
firm was our belief
that someone must defend the lives
and property of all-
this pledge so fully did we live
that now, we line this wall.”
– Unknown –
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is made possible by the IAFF Foundation. Learn more about the IAFF Foundation and how you can get involved: iafffoundation.org.