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NMI honors fallen firefighters
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres joined the nation in honoring firefighters and other emergency personnel who have died while in the line of duty. Torres and other administration officials attended a National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service yesterday at the San Jose Church on Saipan.
Torres said it is important to honor those who died in service. “I wanted to share how important it is to express gratitude and honor to those who have fallen in the line of duty and all those in public service.”
“Nationally, firefighters and many other emergency personnel pay the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their calling and profession,” he added
Last month, Torres signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 8 as National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service Day. He asked the community to continue the observance and recognition of October as Fire Prevention, and Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Torres also encouraged the community to support separate boot drives by the Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services, and the Commonwealth Cancer Association in the last two Thursdays of the month.
Firefighters are always exposed to carbon monoxide that causes heart attack, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, hepatitis B and C, and stress. A total of 112 firefighters died in the U.S. last year while serving their respective communities. Since 1950, 683 firefighters had already succumbed to cancer.
The U.S. President and Congress declared an annual day of commemoration to honor firefighters and emergency services personnel who put their lives on the line whenever they respond to fires in buildings, forests, or planes.
