The City of Miami Beach will light up red to support the nation’s 145 fallen firefighters who gave their lives last year in the line of duty. The event begins on Thursday, May 4 to coincide with International Firefighters Day and runs through Sunday May 7. Miami Beach City Hall and Fire Headquarters will be bathed in red light starting at sundown each day.

“This may seem like a small gesture, but I assure you that it means the world to every family that has experienced the loss of a loved one,” explained Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez. “Miami Beach is proud to be one of the cities that is recognizing our fallen brothers and sisters in commemorating the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters.”

The national event is organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which was created by Congress to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the nonprofit foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.

The official national tribute to fallen firefighters takes place in Emmitsburg, Maryland on Saturday May 6 with a candlelight service and Sunday, May 7 with a memorial service. Participating landmarks around the nation include One World Trade Center in New York City, Reunion Tower in Dallas and the LAX Pylons in Los Angeles.

WHAT: Miami Beach lights up red

WHEN: Sundown, May 4-7

WHERE: City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive and Miami Beach Fire Headquarters, 2300 Pine Tree Drive

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