Utah Gov. Cox orders flags to be lowered for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has ordered the flags of the United States of America and the state of Utah to be lowered in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service tomorrow.

Firefighters gather after subduing a blaze in the Vista Ridge Estates on North Dixie Downs Road on Thursday night, Oct. 13, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

Businesses and residents that want to participate can “pay our respects to the brave firefighters and first responders who risk their lives to protect Americans,” Cox said in a statement released to the media.

Cox directed state employees that flags should be lowered to the half-staff position starting at sunrise on Sunday, May 7, 2023, and raised back to full-staff at sunset on the same day. In the release, he encouraged private citizens, businesses and other organizations to show their support for the cause as well.

According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, those who know a fallen firefighter can help honor them by sharing memories with others.

“Pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes by participating in Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters,” reads the NFFF website. “Toll a bell, pause for a moment of silence, or read a special passage to honor the sacrifices of these public servants and their families.”

Nationally, 70 firefighters died on the job in 2021 — 8 more than the previous year of statistics available. In the United States, 2001 saw the highest number of firefighter deaths with 443, most of them on September 11.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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