Division of Fire Safety News Release

October 15-16 is the 30th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and will be observed by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration. A plaque with the names of 72 firefighters from across the U.S. who died in the line of duty in 2010 will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located on the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

Twenty-seven U.S. states experienced line-of-duty deaths in 2010. The plaques surrounding the memorial, which was established in 1981, will contain the names of more than 3,500 firefighters. 

The two Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty during 2010 and whose names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial are:

§ Firefighter Randall Davenport, age 37, Marshall Fire Department, Oct. 24, 2010 Firefighter Davenport worked two structure fires the evening of Oct. 23. The following morning he was found unresponsive at the Marshall Fire Department while on duty. He had been with the Marshall Fire Department for six years.

§ Firefighter Donald Schaper, age 53, Timber Knob Volunteer Fire Department, April 9, 2010

 Firefighter Schaper experienced a medical emergency upon arrival at an emergency scene. Life-saving efforts were provided by other responders on scene, and Firefighter Schaper was transported to a hospital where he later died.

 "With every call, firefighters put their lives and safety on the line in order to protect their communities," said Missouri State Fire Marshal Randy Cole. "These brave firefighters accepted this risk, and made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to ensure the safety of others. We will never forget the selfless actions of these firefighters, and we thank their families for their service."

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov