On Sunday, Oct. 12, Anniston Army Depot's Directorate of Emergency Services' firefighters participated in flag ceremonies on the installation in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. These flag ceremonies were held in front of t...

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- In accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States was flown at half-staff at all federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Oct. 12.

This was the 33rd Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend.

This year, Congress began a new tradition for this memorial event by flying 107 flags above the Capitol Dome to honor the lives of 98 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2013 and nine who died in previous years.

On Oct. 12, those flags were presented to the survivors of the 107 brave men and women whose names will be added to the memorial.

The 107 names added this year include 19 Arizona firefighters killed in a 2013 canyon fire, the largest loss of life for U.S. firefighters since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks; and 10 first responders who were among the 15 people killed in a fertilizer plant explosion in Central Texas last year.

The story of each fallen firefighter is available at http://media.firehero.org. The service may be viewed or downloaded online at http://www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/attending-memorial-weekend/ways-honor-fallen/watch-live.

"We owe a great debt to our brave first responders and firefighters who run toward the scene of a disaster to fight fires. They are heroes who demonstrate courage, determination, and professionalism every day as they battle flames and smoke and teach their neighbors how to protect themselves. During Fire Prevention Week, we recognize our duty to be vigilant and take action to avert fires, and we remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives so others might live. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences," said President Barack Obama in a proclamation regarding the memorial.

Sources:

Presidential proclamation: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/03/presidential-proclamanation-fire

FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2014/10/10/107-fallen-firefighters