The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the U.S. Fire Administration have announced events for the 25th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on Oct. 5-8, 2006. Plaques with the names of the 100 men and women killed in the line of duty in 2005 and seven firefighters who died in previous years will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Monument, located on the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg, Md.

Among the activities scheduled for the weekend are the Red Helmets Ride Ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, a candlelight service at 6:30 p.m., and a memorial service on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The Red Helmets Ride will be a procession of hundreds of motorcycle riders who will leave from Frederick, Md. and ride to the site of the National Fallen Firefighters Monument. Saturday evening’s National Candlelight Service will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, and Sunday’s national Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be held at the National Fallen Firefighters Monument.

"A special tribute for the families of our firefighter heroes killed in the line of duty will mark the 25th Annual Memorial Weekend,” said Chief Ron Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. “Survivors from across the country will meet, establish emotional connections, and celebrate the lives of their beloved firefighters. The foundation offers its programs and services to ensure that families and colleagues of fallen firefighters receive the support they need to cope with the loss of their loved ones for as long as it is needed."

The National Candlelight Service and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be broadcast live via satellite. Broadcast coordinates and other information on the memorial weekend and NFFF are available at: www.firehero.org.