The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3-4, 2025 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include the following Kentucky firefighters:
Chief Charles E. “Bubba” Brumfield, age 55, of the Nicholasville Fire Department, died on August 1, 2021, from complications of cancer.
Battalion Chief Mitchell T. Christian, age 60, of the Ashland Fire Department, died on April 10, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter Gerald J. Cox, age 47, of the Priceville Volunteer Fire Department, died on June 28, 2019, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter Darrell Keith Helton, age 49, of the Belfry Volunteer Fire Department, died on September 5, 2024, from a heart attack while operating at a structure fire.
Firefighter Arthur “Butch” Henley, age 63, of the Rolling Fork Fire Department, died on March 14, 2021, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter/EMT Mark R. Hernandez, age 54, of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Fire Department, died on September 29, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Captain Travis L. Ransom, age 49, of the Union Fire Protection District, died on June 21, 2024, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter Geneva K. Salyer, age 56, of the Red Bush Volunteer Fire Department, died on August 29, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Firefighter Gregory T. VanHoose, age 60, of the Rockhouse Volunteer Fire Department, died on April 21, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Sergeant John T. Vickers Jr., age 62, of the Zoneton Fire Protection District, died on June 7, 2024, from complications of cancer.
Captain Roy Franklin “Frank” Whitt, age 72, of the Route 504 Volunteer Fire Department, died on March 12, 2024, from injuries sustained in an apparatus accident during a fire department escort.
Forest Ranger Technician Charles Wilburn, age 59, of the Kentucky Department of Forestry, died on June 4, 2020, from complications of cancer.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 3 at 7:30 pm ET and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
· The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 4 at 10:00 am ET and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4. The NFFF will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.
Schedule
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Candlelight Service
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm ET
Streaming begins at 7:00 pm ET
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Memorial Service
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
Streaming begins at 9:30 am ET
Location
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
National Emergency Training Center (NETC)
16835 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
How Communities Can Participate
Those not attending Memorial Weekend in person can also pay tribute to this year’s honored firefighters. All can participate in Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (April 27- May 4) by lighting their homes, businesses, landmarks, or fire departments with red lights. Other ways to remember include Bells Across America, Sound the Sirens, and by signing a virtual Remembrance Banner.
In addition, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings on Sunday, May 4. The public is also encouraged to lower their American flags that day to recognize the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The NFFF will provide live satellite feeds of both events. Technical support is being provided by VISTA Worldlink, Comcast Beltway, and Peak Uplink. Satellite coordinates can be found at here. Images from the 2024 Memorial Weekend are here.