EMMITSBURG, MD – Firefighters from all parts of Pennsylvania gathered at the Nation Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland for the PA State Weekend to participate in a weekend full of training and camaraderie. Class topics ranged from initial company operations to politics and the white hat.
On Saturday evening, July 20, attendees assembled in an auditorium in the E Building for a Firefighters’ Memorial Service. The service started with a procession led by the music of the Highlanders Pipe Band. Father Bill Glosser from the West End Fire Company, Mahanoy City opened the memorial with a hymn to St. Florian, Patron Saint of Firefighters.
PA State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann addressed the audience with passion, thanking the attendees for honoring their fallen brothers and sisters. Father Glosser followed the Commissioner and also addressed the audience with passion describing the sacrifice and courage of all firefighters throughout the country. The Sign of Peace was communicated between the attendees.
A memorial wreath was placed in honor of all fallen firefighters to the rear of the stage. Commissioner Mann then read the names of six firefighters who died in the line of duty in Pennsylvania last year. A red carnation was placed into a firefighting boot in honor of each fallen firefighter as well as a toll from a bell. Signal 5-5-5-5 was rang to announce these firefighters answered their last alarm.
The group recited “A Firefighter’s Prayer” before the procession was led out of the auditorium by the Honor Guard.
Once outside, attendees moved to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial where the wreath and boot of carnations were placed in front of the memorial and a moment of silence was observed to conclude the ceremony.
After the service, many gathered in the Command Post Pub on campus to chat with fellow firefighters and relax for a few hours.
