By FireRescue1 Staff
EMMITSBURG, Md. — Thousands of people are gathering in Emmitsburg, Md., for the 35th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service this weekend to honor 79 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2015 and 33 firefighters who died in previous years.
Sunday’s Memorial Service will be at the National Fire Academy at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public. During the service, a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The Candlelight Vigil on Saturday will begin at 6:30 p.m.
More than 5,000 people, including families, friends, members of Congress, administration officials and firefighters are expected to attend the event.
The increase in firefighters honored this year reflects the new ruling that Public Safety Officer Benefits recognize deaths caused by illnesses from 9/11 as line of duty. Survivors of each of the fallen firefighters will be presented with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.