May Remembrances Recognize & Celebrate Firefighters

The first weekend in May is National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend followed by International Firefighters Day May 4th.  Firefighters face danger every time they answer a call. We owe each and every firefighter a HUGE thank you not just for what they do, but what they’re willing to do at any given moment.  May 4th is recognized annually as International Firefighters’ Day. First celebrated on May, 1999, it is now recognized around the globe.

As in much of what the fire service does, there is history and a tradition behind the selected date. The date of May 4th is linked to the feast day of St. Florian (the patron saint of all firefighters). St. Florian was the first known commander of one firefighters’ squad in the Roman Empire. He lost his life, as well as those of his colleagues, for protecting the same humane ideas which firefighters all over the world still share today. The date is also known as St. Florian’s Day worldwide and has been a tradition for more than 150 years in Europe.

It is a tradition to wear ribbons on May 4th to commemorate its meaning. Colors symbolically linked to the main elements firefighters work with are Red for Fire and Blue for Water. Blue ribbon over Red ribbon = Water over Fire.