By: Tracie Carter
The Summit Fire Department will take part in a series of national events honoring firefighters who have died in the line of duty, according to information released by officials.
The events, organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, include the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters, and Bells Across America.
This year’s observance will honor 204 firefighters, including 97 who lost their lives in 2025 and 107 who died in previous years.
Members of the department have attended the memorial weekend in Emmitsburg since 2005 and are scheduled to return for this year’s ceremonies on May 2 and 3.
The foundation invites the families of the fallen and covers their accommodations for the weekend, which includes counseling sessions, family activities, a candlelight vigil, and a formal memorial service where families receive a flag and badge in honor of their loved one.
Each firefighter’s name is also added to a memorial plaque on the foundation’s campus.
Leading up to the memorial weekend, the firehouse at 281 Broad Street Firehouse will be illuminated in red each evening from April 26 through May 3 as part of Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters.
Community members and businesses interested in participating can register through the foundation’s website.
As part of Bells Across America, firefighters will ring the bell outside the Broad Street firehouse at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, in a moment of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.