Fallen firefighters remembered during candlelight service, Last Alarm

Over the weekend, Juneau firefighters, their families and other dignitaries remembered and honored firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

The Fallen Firefighters memorial candlelight service was held Saturday evening and included a reading of the names of 87 firefighters from around the country who died in 2014 and 31 Alaska firefighters and flight crew members who died in the line of duty within the last 70 years. Their names and hometowns were read by Juneau firefighters as a projected outdoor slideshow displayed their pictures.

The memorial also featured remarks about safety by Mayor Merrill Sanford, readings of the Firefighter’s Poem and A Firefighter’s Prayer, a performance of Amazing Grace and a ringing of the station bell for the Last Alarm.

“As firefighters, we must be diligent to continually train, to hone our firefighting skills, be aware of our surroundings, and keep ourselves healthy so that we can return home every day at the end of the day to our loved ones,” said Assistant Fire Chief Ed Quinto. “We are here to remember the past and honor the memories of those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The service was held at Capital City Fire/Rescue’s downtown station as the sun set.

Listen to the entire observance held on Oct. 3: