Division of Fire Safety News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 04, 2013
Three fallen Missouri firefighters among those to be honored at national firefighters' memorial this weekend
Three Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2012 will be honored as firefighters from across the country come together to remember their fallen comrades this weekend. In all, the names of 81 U.S. firefighters will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.
Oct. 5-6 is the 32nd annual 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.
Missouri was one of 31 states that experienced line-of-duty deaths in 2012. Plaques surrounding the monument list the names of the men and women of the fire service who have died in service to their communities since 1981.
The Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty during 2012 and whose names will be added to the National Firefighters Memorial are:
Senior Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Haase Sr., age 60, St. Charles Fire Department, Feb. 1, 2012. Firefighter Haase experienced a medical emergency shortly after returning from an emergency call. He had been in the fire service for 27 years.
Fire Chief Eddy Wayne Meador, age 54, Pattonsburg Fire and Rescue Protection District, Dec. 8, 2012. Chief Meador passed away at his home from a medical emergency after responding to several emergency incidents that day. He had been in the fire service for 35 years.
Firefighter Jeffrey Hudson, age 46, St. Louis Fire Department, Dec. 12, 2012. Firefighter Hudson suffered a fatal medical emergency while on duty at the firehouse. He had been in the fire service for 18 years.
"It is fitting that we pause to remember and express our gratitude for the brave men and women of the fire service—career and volunteer—who willingly put their lives on the line to help ensure the safety of their neighbors across our state," said Missouri State Fire Marshal Randy Cole. "We must never forget the sacrifice of those we have lost and we renew our commitment to help support the families they left behind."
On May 20, 2013 Fire Marshal Cole and firefighters from across Missouri honored the fallen Missouri firefighters from 2012 in a solemn ceremony at the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City. The names of Doug Haase Sr., Eddy Wayne Meador and Jeffrey Hudson were added to the Fire Fighters Line of Duty Memorial Wall commemorating Missouri firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of the state.
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For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov