California Firefighters Memorial

California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony and 10th Anniversary Tribute -- Click Here for Stories and Photos

This year, we commemorated the 10 year anniversary of the California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, and thank you for joining us as we memorialized the sacrifice and dedication of our fallen heroes over a very special two day event October 19- 20, 2012.  Click here to read about the 2012 Memorial and the 10th Anniversary Tribute Event, and find pictures from both events.

The sacrifice of hundreds of California firefighters is remembered on the brushed limestone walls of the California Firefighters Memorial at the State Capitol in Sacramento. This beautiful tribute, embodying over 10 years of work by California Professional Firefighters, depicts both the heroism of the profession and the anguish felt when a firefighter falls in the line of duty. Click here for complete history of the California Firefighters Memorial.

Visit our California Firefighters Memorial Tributes Facebook page to read people's opinions of the Memorial, stories and memories from the families of the fallen, and other personal accounts of the Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony.

DESIGN

The California Firefighters Memorial is a lasting tribute to the men and women who gave their lives to help protect their fellow Californians. The memorial design includes two bronze statues depicting firefighters in action. One statue features four firefighters working together. The other, created by a firefighter, shows an anguished firefighter removing his “fallen brother” from a fire scene. The memorial draws inspiration from numerous memorials honoring firefighters and other service men and women.  Each of the statues carries special meaning.

"Holding the Line": A bronze cast depicting four firefighters advancing a line up a hill. Created by noted artist Lawrence Noble, the models for the statue were all firefighters. One of the faces depicted on the statue was that of a fallen firefighter-- Kenneth Enslow.

"Fallen Brother": Another bronze cast depicting a firefighter removing his fallen colleague from harm's way. This personal tribute was created by a firefighter-- Sacramento Battalion Chief Jesus Romo.  It is believed to be the first firefighter memorial statue to actually depict a fallen firefighter. Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at "Fallen Brother."

Memorial Wall: Inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., the centerpiece of the Memorial is the Wall with the names of the fallen. Adjoining the wall on each side are two smaller bronze casts of empty turnout gear ... a silent memory of their "final call."

THE MEMORIAL WALL

Prominently featured along with the statues is a Memorial Wall, listing the names of over 1,100 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice as California firefighters. Names are listed chronologically, and include the name of the department in which the firefighter served.

A complete list of the names that appear on the memorial wall can be found under The Memorial Wall  section of this website.

The Memorial's design, construction and maintenance is financed entirely by donations made to CPF's non-profit California Fire Foundation. The bulk of these donations were made by firefighters through the purchase of the special Firefighter License Plate. Financing also came through a special state tax check-off.

This website will provide regular updates on the memorial and plans for future ceremonies at the site. Please check back often to get the latest information.

Bookmark and Share