LAKELAND, Fla. – The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) will be aglow in red from September 27, 2020, through October 4, 2020, in honor of the nation’s fallen firefighters. For the first year ever, the department is participating in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundations’ Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters campaign. The weeklong tribute involves major landmarks and fire departments across the country lighting their buildings and firehouses in red to honor America’s fallen heroes.
The first week of October is usually an eventful time for fire departments, as it marks Fire Prevention Week and is when a national vigil is held at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park, located on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is the official national tribute to firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Due to the global pandemic, regularly scheduled events have been cancelled, so LFD is showing its respect and gratitude to firefighters everywhere through this weeklong lighted reflection.
This nationwide lighting event honors firefighters who died in the line of duty and lets their families, and the community they served, know that the fallen are always remembered. Last year, some of the most iconic buildings and bridges in the nations, as well as over 150 fire departments participated in honoring the fallen.
The community is encouraged to enjoy the tribute at the department’s fire stations (locations at www.lakelandgov.net/LFD) when strolling or driving by.
Photos of the stations can be sent directly to the department or shared using the hashtag #LakelandLightstheNight. To learn more about the event and see who else is participating, please visit www.firehero.org/light-the-night.