Every September, fire fighters, emergency medical workers, and their families gather in Colorado Springs to honor those who have died in the line of duty.
For Colorado Springs, CO Local 5 members, preparing to welcome them is a year-long commitment.
“We start basically after the previous event ends,” said Local 5 President Curt Crumb. “It’s all-hands-on-deck, nonstop.”
The IAFF will commemorate 288 fallen members during its 40th annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. MT. The names being added this year represent members who died or whose names were submitted between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025.
“Honoring our fallen is one of the most important things we do as a union,” General President Edward Kelly said. “The Memorial brings us together to recognize their service and sacrifice and remind their families that the IAFF will always be there for them.”
Honoring our fallen is one of the most important things we do as a union. The Memorial brings us together to recognize their service and sacrifice and remind their families that the IAFF will always be there for them.
general president edward kelly
The Wall of Honor, set against Pikes Peak, bears the names of more than 10,000 IAFF members who have died since 1918.
A livestream will be available for those who are unable to attend in person.
All hands-on deck
When families, Honor Guard members, IAFF members, and staff travel to Colorado Springs, Local 5 members go beyond just hosting. They ensure guests have transportation, information, and support throughout their stay.
This year’s ceremony carries a deeply personal meaning for Local 5.
Captain Patrick Rogacki served with the Colorado Springs Fire Department for 35 years before retiring in 2014. He died last year after battling a 9/11-related illness.
“His cancer was related to responding to Ground Zero in New York as part of our Colorado Task Force One,” said Crumb.
Photo courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Dept.
Rogacki was also a longtime member and leader of the Colorado Springs Fire Department Honor Guard and regularly served at the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, helping families honor their loved ones.
“Pat was one of the people who came out and drove vans for us during this event. He was a great guy,” said Crumb. “Over the 20 years I’ve been part of this, on the executive board, we’ve put four of our members on the wall.”
As Local 5 members prepare to honor one of their own, they’re also supporting the families of other fallen members.
“We are their extended fire family, and we are here to support them in any way we can. We want them to reach out to us,” said Crumb. “We want them to use us as a shoulder to cry on, a hug, transportation somewhere, and a place to get answers to questions they don’t have answers for. That is what Local 5 is here to do.”
