Colorado Springs, Colo.— The International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, held
this year on the morning of Sept. 16, is normally a time when firefighters from throughout the U.S. and Canada come to honor their dead—but this year, some will miss it because they’re working on hurricane-recovery efforts. Eleven Colorado Springs firefighters who’d been in Texas helping rescue and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey since late August can’t come back to the city for the memorial: They’ll be going to Florida to aid the recovery from Hurricane Irma in Orlando, Sarasota, and possibly Fort Myers. “They would be helping us with that memorial, and they are missed, but we have firefighters here that are stepping in to fill their shoes,” a spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Fire Department said. About 190 names will be added to the memorial this year. “It’s a great responsibility, but it’s an absolute honor to honor the people that have truly made the ultimate sacrifice, and to take care of their families and to let them know that those members will never be forgotten,” said David Noblitt, president of the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 5. Read more
