Thank Our Firefighters: International Firefighters Day

Have you thanked an member today?

May 4 is International Firefighters’ Day. The day was instituted after the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a wildfire in Australia in 1999.

The date used to be a traditional Firefighters’ Day in many European countries, according to FirefightersDay.org, because it is the day of Saint Florian: patron saint of firefighters.

"Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others it is many selfless years working in the industry. In all cases it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life," the organization stated in a press release on its website.

The organization added that International Firefighters’ Day is a time where the world’s community can "recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible."

"It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions," FirefightersDay.org officials said.

International Firefighters’ Day participants are invited to remember the past firefighters who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all.

"By proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or by participating in a memorial or recognition event, show our gratitude to firefighters everywhere," the officials said.

The IFFD ribbons are linked to colors symbolic of the main elements firefighters work with red for fire and blue for water. These colors also are internationally recognized as representing emergency service.