When is International Firefighters Day?
May 4th is International Firefighters Day.
What is International Firefighters Day?
Not every firefighter makes it home at the end of the day. These heroes may not always laugh in the face of danger, but they face it all the same. International Firefighters Day honors the men and women who have laid down their lives while protecting our communities from fires.
Wildland fires and urban infernos can be just as deadly. Yet these people keep charging into flaming buildings and trekking through blazing wastelands to safeguard our homes, our farms, and our businesses.
It began in Australia after a 1998 bush fire took the lives of five firefighters. Since 1999, folks all over the world have used International Firefighters Day to show support and appreciation for the firefighters who protect us year ‘round.
Fun facts about International Firefighters Day!
- A firefighter’s uniform withstands temperatures as high as 2200°F.
- Dalmatians used to be the unofficial firefighting dogs because they got along well with the draft horses that pulled fire wagons.
- In 2016, the U.S. had about 1.1 million firefighters, of which 788,000 were volunteers.
- The 1871 Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin was the deadliest fire in U.S. history, killing at least 1,200 people.
How to celebrate International Firefighters Day:
- Take 30 seconds of silence to reflect on the sacrifices made by fallen firefighters.
- Sport the red and blue ribbon of International Firefighters Day. Wear it on your lapel, tie it to the handle of your front door, or hang it on the visor in your car.
- Send letters of gratitude to your local fire station.
- Consider becoming a volunteer firefighter.
What’s the hashtag for International Firefighters Day?
Use #InternationalFirefightersDay and #FireightersDay on social media to thank firefighters in your community.