Dear Brother/Sister
Firefighters Memorial Day – Friday 4th May 2018
Building on last year’s successful launch, I urge all members to make advance plans at your fire station and other FRS workplaces to host an even greater remembrance occasion this year on Firefighters Memorial Day, Friday 4th May 2018, in honour of the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen comrades.
Once again, observance of a minute’s silence will commence at midday with a brief sounding of sirens, the strike of a bell or blow of a whistle at fire stations throughout the UK. However, this year – the FBU’s centenary year – in addition to all on-duty crews parading on station forecourts at midday, we ask you to invite and organise as many of the following as possible to join you:
- off-duty firefighters
- former firefighters
- family and friends
- bereaved next of kin
- local dignitaries
- your fire station/workplace neighbours
- local community groups, schools etc
- the wider community
Branch Officials are asked to liaise with your local managers without delay to make the appropriate arrangements necessary for this year’s Firefighters Memorial Day at your place of work. Such arrangements could include refreshments/buffet, fire safety materials/films, raising awareness about the red plaque scheme and support from the Firefighters 100 Lottery for the families of firefighters killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
The Firefighters Memorial Trust, supported by the Fire Brigades Union, are keen to engage the widest possible participation from the fire and rescue community and the public on Firefighters Memorial Day to honour the ultimate sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in the course of their fire and rescue duties. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the courage and dedication shown by generations of firefighters, not least those of you serving our communities today. Our ambition is that Firefighters Memorial Day will become a well-recognised day in our communities with observance of a minute’s silence at midday as the centre-piece. Realising that ambition rests largely in your hands and depends on the shared commitment of members at your Branch.
I ask all members to share as far and wide as possible the various FBU communications being released in the coming weeks about Firefighters Memorial Day and the remembrance of fallen firefighters, including the following video link: http://bit.ly/2u5auq5.
In closing, I hope all FBU members will embrace Firefighters Memorial Day and will play your part in making local arrangements each and every year, as would be fitting to honour the bravery and sacrifice of all firefighters who have died on duty whilst serving their communities.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
