Division of Fire Safety News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2019
Governor Parson has proclaimed Sunday, May 19 as Missouri Fire Service Memorial Day
Missouri’s fire service will hold two memorial services this weekend at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City honoring the state’s fallen firefighters
On Saturday, May 18, at 9 p.m., a candlelight vigil will be held for all Missouri firefighters who have died while serving their communities.
On Sunday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m., the name of Russell H. Hayes, a firefighter with the El Dorado Springs Fire Department will be added to the monument wall commemorating Missouri firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while bravely serving their fellow Missourians. Hayes died in the line of duty after sustaining critical injuries in a crash on Oct. 3, 2018 while driving a fire truck to an annual pump certification test. Hayes joined the El Dorado department as a volunteer firefighter in 1976, and spent 42 years in the fire service.
Other Missouri firefighters who passed away during 2018 will also be remembered during the ceremony.
Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed May 19 as Fire Service Memorial Day in Missouri.
“Missouri’s fire service has more than 24,000 members serving in over 850 departments, who make the difference between life and death for their fellow Missourians each year,” Governor Parson said. “These brave men and women answer the alarm bell each time it rings, whether for a house fire, a vehicle crash, or responding to a natural disaster. It is our duty to honor those who paid the ultimate price for their selfless service and to stand alongside their families and thank them for their service.”
“I am humbled to see the tremendous sacrifices Missouri firefighters and their families make each year to make the citizens of our state safer,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said. “Heroic service to others means willingly tolerating risks to yourself. “We will never forget those who lost their lives to protect others.”
Both events will take place at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, which is located one block northwest of the I-70 & U.S. Highway 54 intersection (I-70 Exit 148) in Kingdom City, Mo. In case of inclement weather, events will be moved to Auxvasse Elementary School, 650 E. Harrison St., Auxvasse, MO 65231.
Saturday, May 18
WHAT: Candlelight vigil honoring Missouri firefighters who died serving Missouri’s fire service
WHO: Families and friends of those who died
Firefighters from across Missouri
WHERE: Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, one block northwest of the I-70 & U.S. Highway 54 intersection,
Kingdom City
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18
Sunday, May 19
WHAT: Memorial Service honoring Missouri firefighters who died serving Missouri’s fire service
WHO: Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten
State Fire Marshal Tim Bean
Leaders of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri
Families and friends of those who have died
Other firefighters from across Missouri
WHERE: Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri, one block northwest of the I-70 & U.S. Highway 54 intersection,
Kingdom City
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19
For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov