Firefighter Memorial Ceremony

Save the Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024

Every year since 2011, hundreds of people have gathered on the grounds of the State Capitol on the last Sunday of September for a solemn ceremony to remember the Minnesota firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

Since 1881, 228 Minnesota firefighters have died in the line of duty. Their names have been inscribed on columns throughout the nationally recognized memorial, located on the south side of the Capitol grounds. The memorial service is held each year on the last Sunday in September, which has been designated as the state’s official day to honor Minnesota’s fallen firefighters.

The Minnesota Fire Service Foundation coordinates the effort to recognize the state’s firefighters who died in the line of duty and provides support and resources to fire departments, firefighters and their families throughout Minnesota.

About the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial
In 2011, the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation launched an initiative to move the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial from the baggage claim area at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and create a larger, more accessible and interactive memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol. The new memorial gives families, friends, co-workers and community members a permanent location to pay tribute to these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Fire Service successfully raised $720,000 to fund the memorial through donations from the public, Minnesota businesses and, primarily, from the state’s firefighting community. Financial contributions to fund educational scholarships for children of active, retired or deceased firefighters, and for spouses of deceased firefighters and support for firefighters and their families in times of need can be sent to: Minnesota Fire Service Foundation c/o Minnesota Fire Service Foundation c/o Tradition Capital Bank, Attn: Cathy Haukedahl, 7601 France Ave S, Suite 140, Edina, MN 55435. Online contributions can be made at www.MNFireServiceFoundation.org. All contributions are tax deductible.

The Minnesota Fire Service Foundation is responsible for the planning and delivery of the the annual Firefighter Memorial Service. The event honors and recognizes those individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their fellow man. The service is  always held the last Sunday of September at 1:00 pm at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial located on the State Capitol Grounds.

View Photos from the 2021 Memorial Ceremony

View the 2019 Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service Program

View photos from the 2019 Firefighter Memorial Service

View photos from the 2017 Firefighter Memorial Service

For more information click on logo below to go to the Fire Service Foundation website.