Thousands gathered at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs on Saturday morning to honor 311 fire fighters and emergency medical workers who died in the line of duty.
This year’s IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Ceremony recognized those who died in the line of duty in 2024, along with members from previous years whose deaths were only recently recognized as occupational. The memorial pays tribute to all line-of-duty deaths, including those who died on-scene and those lost to occupational illnesses.
“When we were children, our parents taught us, if you are ever in trouble look for the helpers,” said General President Edward Kelly. “We are the ones who answer every call no matter the hour, no matter the danger. We don’t ask who is inside or whether it’s easy or hard. When the call comes in and the bell sounds, we go. Because that is what it means to be a fire fighter.”
We are the ones who answer every call no matter the hour, no matter the danger. We don’t ask who is inside or whether it’s easy or hard. When the call comes in and the bell sounds, we go. Because that is what it means to be a fire fighter.
general president edward kelly
For many, the ceremony is deeply personal.
“My husband Jim is being added to the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial tomorrow. I have several friends and family with me. It’s just been really sweet to be here. A hard thing, but a sweet thing,” said Mollie McCammon, wife of Harrison, AR Local 2995’s Jim McCammon.
Each name etched on the wall represents a life filled with purpose.
“They ran toward danger when others ran away, putting safety of community above their own day in and day out,” said Colorado Springs, CO Local 5 President Curt Crumb.
IAFF members traveled from near and far to offer support.
“We just wanted be here to honor those members that we lost, and be here to support their families, and provide them with home comfort, home cooking,” said Ottawa, ON Local 162’s Andrew Ellis.
Each year, Local 5 provides shuttles, information, hospitality, and heartfelt assistance to every family and guest in need.
“We get a chance to meet new families, new fire fighters that come into town, but we also get a chance to reconnect with the ones that have been here before,” said IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Coordinator and Local 5’s Mike Smaldino. “We get a chance to have those families return and actually help us out.”
Families like Kristen Pascall, the wife of late San Miguel, CA Local 1434’s Rick Pascall.
“In 2011, I placed my husband Rick on the wall, and they did so much for me here in Colorado Springs,” she said. “I swore if I could come back and do a little bit of anything for anyone else, any time that I came, then that’s what I wanted to do, and this is my 14th year.”
The ceremony is a reminder of the courage it takes to serve, and the legacy fire fighters leave behind.
“The families of the fallen, thank you for joining and remembering your loved ones. We want you to know this is your memorial and always will be,” said 9th District Vice President Mike Frainier.
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is made possible by the IAFF Foundation. To learn more or support the mission, visit the link here.
