HARTFORD — Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing US and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 6, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the US flag, all other flags — including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise — should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

The annual observance occurs during Fire Prevention Week and honors the sacrifices of fallen firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Fire Prevention Week this year is being observed October 6-12.

Gov Lamont said, “The men and women who enter careers as firefighters do so with a selfless sense of protection for their communities and their neighbors, often putting their lives in harm’s way to shield others, and we owe it to them to honor their fearlessness. I am thankful to the firefighters who protect our land and our communities, and encourage everyone to reflect upon those who have given their lives in the line of duty.”

President Donald J. Trump also issued a proclamation on Friday, ahead of Fire Prevention Week.

The President noted the week to “honor and remember the heroic firefighters and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice to save and protect our citizens, homes, and communities. We express our gratitude for their service to our country, and we encourage all Americans to do their part to prevent dangerous fires.”

The President also called on Americans “to take special precautions to ensure fire safety in their homes and communities to help prevent fire-related tragedies. By staying vigilant, we can all do our part to protect our loved ones, homes, and communities. We recognize those who take such actions, and we pledge to continue our support for the Nation’s firefighters, first responders, and EMS providers who answer the call to serve and risk their lives to safeguard their fellow Americans and our precious land.”

He also called on “all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.”

National Memorial Service

The 38th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held Sunday, October 6, in Emmitsburg, Md. This year’s service will honor 119 firefighters — 92 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2018 and 27 firefighters who died in the line of duty in previous years.

The service begins at 10 am (ET) at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The names of the firefighters will be read, and their loved ones will receive an American flag that had been flown above the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the US Capitol Dome.

These firefighters also will be remembered in a special Candlelight Service on Saturday, October 5, at 6:30 pm (ET), when a bronze plaque bearing the names of the fallen will be officially added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

The events are part of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, where the US Fire Service gathers together to honor the lives of the fallen and to comfort their surviving family, friends and fellow firefighters.

More than 5,000 people, including families, friends, members of Congress, government officials and firefighters are expected to attend Sunday’s memorial service. Firefighter Honor Guards and Pipe & Drum units from across the US will participate in this national remembrance. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation provides a live satellite feed and streaming of ceremonies, along with video of events for downloading, at http://live.firehero.org.

Leaders and members of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus launched the memorial weekend events on September 17 with a presentation of 119 flags during a brief ceremony held at the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C. The flags are flown over the US Capitol in honor of each fallen firefighter and will be displayed in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel until they are presented to family members during Sunday’s Memorial Service.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. The horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in this country.