National service to honor fallen Salisbury firefighters, others on Oct. 4 in Maryland

Fallen Salisbury firefighters Justin Monroe and Victor Isler will be among those honored Oct. 4 at the 28th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

Isler, 40, and Monroe, 19, died from smoke and heat exposure after becoming trapped during the Salisbury Millworks fire on March 7, 2008.

The national service will remember 98 men and 5 women from 36 states.

Other North Carolinians to be honored include: 

• Firefighter James Earl Arthur, age 19, of Cold Water Fire & Rescue died in a motor vehicle accident while responding to an accident scene on Feb. 11, 2008.

• Forestry Technician Joshua Crisp, age 26, of the U.S. Forest Service, Cheoah Ranger District, died in a motor vehicle accident while enroute to a non-emergency duty assignment on March 15, 2006.

• Fire Chief George Crocker, age 32, of the Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department died within 24 hours of an emergency response on June 22, 2008.

• Assistant District Forester Curtis Jessen, age 32, of the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources died after falling from a waterfall while fighting a wildland fire on Aug. 21, 2008.

• Lieutenant Herman Jones, age 58, of the Raleigh Fire Department died on Jan. 23, 2008 after suffering a torn aorta following department fitness training and two medical calls on Jan. 18, 2008.

• Firefighter Walter Michl, age 76, of the Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department died of a heart attack while preparing to respond to a residential structure fire on March 16, 2008.

• Firefighter Carol Taylor, age 41, of the Goldsboro Fire Department died within 24 hours of responding to an electrical fire on Nov. 15, 2008.

• Second Assistant Chief Colin Thomas, age 52, of the Verona Volunteer Fire Department died after being struck by a vehicle in zero visibility conditions at a wildland fire on June 14, 2008.

 The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security will sponsor the official national tribute on Oct. 4. The ceremony marks the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week designated by President Obama to focus national attention on the destruction of property and loss of life caused by fire. 

 As first responders to all natural and manmade emergencies, fire service personnel are in constant danger. During 2008, 103 firefighters died in the line of duty, making firefighting one of the nation’s most dangerous occupations. 

 More than 5,000 people, including Members of Congress, administration officials and other dignitaries, members of the fire service, and families and friends of the fallen firefighters will attend the event.  Families receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial. Honor guard units and fire service personnel from across the U.S. will participate in the National Tribute.

Many fire departments across the country will conduct simultaneous services, lower flags to half-staff, sound sirens at noon, and observe a moment of silent tribute.

For more information, visit Weekend.FireHero.org.  The website includes a complete list of this year’s honored fallen firefighters, a video introduction to the Memorial weekend, images of previous memorial services, satellite coordinates for broadcast, and more.    

 Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the nonprofit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers.

For more information on the Foundation and its programs contact us at 301-447-1365 or visit www.FireHero.org.