Together with the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, the Westchester County Fallen Firefighters Committee, Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Westchester County Association of Fire Chiefs, Westchester County Association of Fire Districts and the Westchester County Career Fire Chiefs Association hosted the Westchester County Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The annual event recognized Westchester County firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
President of the Westchester County Association of Fire Chiefs Stuart Bayer said: “Each year we gather on a Sunday in October, not to mourn, but to honor the memory of firefighters from across Westchester County who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the communities in which they served. Every year, as we read aloud their names and the departments they represented, we join their families in remembering their heroism and letting them know they are not alone in their loss. There are years we are fortunate not to have to add a name to the monument. Sadly this year we add 12 more names from six departments. Their memory and their legacy will not end with a plaque on a wall, but rather will remain in the hearts and minds of their brother and sister firefighters who know that when the alarm drops and they head out of their stations to answer the call, they will do their jobs without hesitation and in so doing, honor those that gave their lives doing the same. And, every year we will gather to honor and remember them all.”
In October of 1991, Westchester County established a permanent Fallen Firefighters Memorial in front of the Richard A. Flynn Fire Training Center in Valhalla. The memorial consists of a life-sized bronze statue depicting a firefighter assisting a fallen comrade to safety. Surrounding the statue on the brick walls of the training center are bronze plaques, containing the fallen firefighter’s name, department and date of sacrifice.
In 2026, 12 additional names will be added to wall. The Westchester County Fallen Firefighters Memorial, and the annual memorial service, serve as a lasting tribute to all Westchester County firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
