JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome lighted red beginning at sunset on Saturday, October 8 until sunrise on Sunday, October 9, 2022, 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 8-9, 2022, at the National Fire Academy. The lighting also calls attention to National Fire Prevention Week, which is October 9-15, 2022.
“Across Missouri and the nation, firefighters take on tremendous risks to protect their fellow citizens, not just from fires, but at traffic crashes, natural disasters, and other life-threatening emergencies,” Governor Parson said. “We will light the Capitol red to honor our fallen firefighters, who paid the ultimate price for their devotion to saving lives and protecting property. We ask Missourians to show their appreciation of the men and women of the fire service through fire safety, including planning and practicing two ways out of each room in their homes to be prepared in case of a fire.”
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’s fire service appreciates Governor Parson lighting the Capitol red to signify our respect and admiration for our state’s fallen firefighters,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said. “Most fires are preventable. By eliminating fire hazards in advance and utilizing smoke alarms in their homes, Missourians can help protect their families and save lives.”