NPS Recognizes International Firefighters' Day

The Structural Fire Leadership Council gathered for their annual meeting at Yellowstone National Park

NPS

There are many Star Wars fans that are excited for the 4th of May each year because they can use the phrase “May the Fourth be With You.” For firefighters throughout the world and the National Park Service, the fourth of May has a greater and more serious meaning.

On December 2, 1998, five firefighters battling a bushfire in Australia perished while trying to protect their community. The death of these firefighters was strongly felt within the community and across the world. On January 4, 1999, a proposal was e-mailed out around the world by Lt. JJ Edmondson to mark the 4th of May as International Firefighters’ Day. The fourth of May was selected for International Firefighters’ Day because it is Saint Florian’s day, who is said to be one of the first commanding firefighters of a Roman battalion in the 3rd Century CE credited with saving many lives and is recognized as the patron saint of firefighters.

Jimmy Stewart (right) regional structural fire management officer for Intermountain Region and Yellowstone firefighter Chaz Lakin cut International Firefighters' Day cake at Yellowstone National Park.

NPS/S CRUTCHER

The idea of marking St. Florian’s day for fallen firefighters was embraced by the international community. “The role of a firefighter in today’s society - be it urban, rural, natural, defense force, aviation, motor sport, or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice – no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy – fire – no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear, or what language we speak,” stated Lt. Edmondson.

The National Park Service Structural Fire Branch took time away from their busy annual Structural Firefighting Leadership Council seminar to pause and remember firefighters from across the world who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The occasion was marked with a few words from Structural Fire Branch Chief Shane Crutcher with regional structural fire managers from each NPS region as well as structural and wildland firefighters from Yellowstone National Park.

The NPS has a robust structural and wildland firefighting program with firefighters facing challenging situations on a daily basis. It is important for us to memorialize those that we have lost, while remembering to be safe and look out for each other while on the job.

There is an old traditional Scottish song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends called “The Parting Glass.” In the song, there is a chorus that says,

“But since it fell into my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I’ll gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be to you all.”

We pause with our international brother and sister firefighters to remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their communities.