JEFFERSON CITY – Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome lighted red beginning at sunset on Saturday, October 2, 2021, until sunrise on Sunday, October 3, 2021, in honor of fallen firefighters.
The lighting coincides with the annual memorial weekend of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters tribute. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a national tribute to firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year and is being held October 2-3, 2021 at the National Fire Academy. The lighting also calls attention to National Fire Prevention Week, which is October 3-9, 2021.
“We light the Capitol red to honor our fallen firefighters here in Missouri and across the nation who gave their lives in service to their communities. The sacrifices that firefighters everywhere make will never be forgotten,” Governor Parson said. “As we see the challenges these brave men and women willingly endure to protect us, we must remember the importance of fire safety and commit to fire prevention.”
The color red was chosen as it represents firefighters across the state and nation. Pictures of the Capitol lighted red will be available on Governor Parson’s Flickr page.
Missouri will honor its fallen firefighters with events at the Fire Fighters Memorial in Kingdom City the following weekend.
On Saturday, October 9 at 9 p.m., the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri will hold a candlelight vigil in honor of Missouri firefighters who have died while serving their communities.
On Sunday, October 10 at 10:30 a.m., there will be a memorial service in which the names of Missouri firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for their service during 2020 will be added to the monument wall commemorating Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty.
“We appreciate Governor Parson lighting the Capitol red to honor our fallen firefighters who too often pay the ultimate price for taking on tremendous risks during fires, automobile crashes, and countless emergencies,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said. “During National Fire Prevention Week, we urge all Missourians to learn more about fire safety and to teach all family members to know two ways out of every room in their house.”