Fallen Firefighters Honored During Virtual Tributes

The 23rd Annual New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, which was scheduled to be held during Fire Prevention Week, was postponed as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the names of 21 fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty were added to the Memorial Wall located at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y.

To honor the fallen, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has created a tribute video that can be viewed here. A digital memorial program is also available on the memorial website.

NYSAFC Conference Committee Chairman John Scott and Instructor Richard Tanagretta were among the fallen firefighters honored this year.

All 2020 honoree families will be invited to attend the 24th Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in 2021, where their loved ones will receive formal recognition during the traditional in-person ceremony.

The New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated in 1998. As of October 2020, there are 2,596 names inscribed on the wall, the earliest dating back to 1811.

The COVID-19 pandemic also forced the postponement of this year’s National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend events. To honor those who have been lost, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation created the video “America’s Tribute to Fallen Firefighters,” which can be viewed here.