Press Release: Gov. Evers Orders the Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Firefighters of Wisconsin Who Have Given Their Lives in the Line of Duty

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 05/02/2024 12:30 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Orders the Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Firefighters of Wisconsin Who Have Given Their Lives in the Line of Duty
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #222 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 5, 2024, as a mark of respect for the firefighters of Wisconsin who have given their lives in the line of duty.

“Our firefighters are brave and dedicated individuals who show up for us and our communities on some of our worst days and in dangerous situations to help keep us safe, sacrificing their health and safety when they do,” said Gov. Evers. “Today and throughout the year, it is important for us as Wisconsinites to pay our respects to firefighters who’ve lost their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, as well as to the loved ones who miss them and mourn their loss every day. During National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, Kathy and I join Wisconsinites in honoring the memories of all those we have lost and remember them for their lives of service and sacrifice.”

Executive Order #222 orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 5, 2024, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but in 2023, it was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. 

On Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids will hold the Final Alarm Ceremony honoring the memory of members of Wisconsin’s fire services who have given their lives in the line of duty. Executive Order #222 also orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, in honor of that occasion. 

Finally, in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. To that end, Executive Order ### orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.  

Executive Order #222 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sun., May 5, 2024, Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, and Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, and is available here.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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