BELL BUCKLE, TN, - Firefighters and dignitaries from across Tennessee will attend the long-awaited groundbreaking ceremonies Monday for the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial (TFFM) located in Bell Buckle.
Located on the grounds at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy in northern Bedford County, the TFFM will honor the many men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities and neighbors.
“A committee of very dedicated people has worked very hard to get to this point,” said Ed Kay, TFFM president and Sparta fire chief. “We are proud of what we have accomplished for our states’ first responders and for the families of our fallen heroes.”
The Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial will be a monument to the spirit, commitment, and sacrifice of those firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty and will provide the citizens of Tennessee with a place to honor the fallen and to inspire young men and women to follow in their brave footsteps.
Fund raising efforts for the TFFM began five years ago with the inaugural Tennessee Ultimate Firefighter “TUFF” Challenge, which is held in September each year.
Since that time, a committee was formed from fire service organizations across the state to continue the efforts of raising money and to create public awareness. A major fund raising initiative took place during Fire Prevention Week and through the month of October to raise the final amount needed for the first phase of the memorial.
On average, two firefighters perish each year in Tennessee. Records show that seventy-six firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty from 1954 to 2007. Twenty-four firefighters lost their lives from 2000 to 2007. No firefighter fatalities were recorded for 2008.
An additional means of fund raising has been the purchase of brick sales. Individuals, fire departments and companies have the option of have a brick inscribed, which will be installed in the walkway leading into the Circle of Honor, which will include the names of the fallen firefighters on bronze plaques.
Many companies have also stepped up to help with the construction. Hart Freeland and Roberts have donated and completed the conceptual drawings. Companies such as IMI, Contec, Wright Paving, B & W Excavating, Haynes Services Electric, N & S Waterproofing, WASCO, Community High School Ag Class and American Constructors have donated times or services for the completion of Phase One.
The TFFM Ground Breaking Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 at 2161 Unionville-Deason Rd. State Fire Marshal and Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Leslie Newman and various state and local officials will be in attendance.
For additional information, please go to the TFFM Web site at www.tnffmemorial.com.
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