KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The line-of-duty death of firefighter/paramedic Graham Hoffman falls the week the nation pauses to remember all firefighters who have fallen.
Until Sunday, May 4, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is encouraging people to light their homes red each night in honor of fallen firefighters and their families.
“There's just no way of knowing what you're gonna face when you show up on the scene, and alertness is obviously key. But again, you know you’re performing your duties, trying to take care of the community, and you just never know what you're going to face,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of NFFF.
The NFFF will honor 140 fallen firefighters from 2024 and previous years this weekend. The foundation’s main purposes are to remember their service and support their families in the aftermath.
RELATED | Kansas City T-shirt printer sells T-shirt in memory of Graham Hoffman; donates money to family
Stagnaro said the organization was just in Kansas City doing training. He wants people to remember firefighters take an oath to show up, no matter what.
“These are our domestic protectors. They're very much like the military; they're out there, they wear a uniform, they take an oath to protect the community," Stagnaro said. "And so when a firefighter dies in the line of duty, I think it's essential that, as a nation, we pause and express our gratitude for the service that that firefighter did on behalf of their community.”
You can learn more about Light the Night and the NFFF here.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.
