Firefighters Memorial Day – Saturday 4th May 2019

Dear Brother/Sister,

Firefighters Memorial Day – Saturday 4th May 2019

I am writing to urge all members to make advance plans at your fire station and other FRS workplaces to host a remembrance occasion on Firefighters Memorial Day, Saturday 4th May 2019. 

This is an important day for all serving and retired members of Fire & Rescue Services. It is a moment in time when we stand together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of fallen comrades. 

As is now standard practice, 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.  On duty crews parade in fire kit on station forecourts at midday and stand in a minute’s silence as we remember colleagues lost in the line of duty. 

Members who are off duty should also be encouraged to attend and I urge you to contact as many retired and out of trade members as possible to join you for the occasion.

As this year’s Memorial Day falls on a Saturday, you may wish to contact your local MP and/or councillor and invite them to join you in your commemoration. Again, you should make this invitation as soon as possible.

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.

Our aim is to honour the sacrifice of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty and 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 widely as possible the various FBU & Firefighters Memorial Trust communications being released in the coming weeks about Firefighters Memorial Day, including the following video link: https://bit.ly/2UrVWgd 

We are keen to hear of your plans and support you where we can. If you have a special event planned, or for example your MP is attending, please contact us on [email protected] and let us know.

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. 

Yours fraternally

Matt Wrack
General Secretary