International Firefighters’ Day is a holiday observed annually on May 4th. It is an international day of appreciation and recognition for the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to protect communities from the dangers of fire.

This day serves as an opportunity for everyone to show respect and gratitude to firefighters and to express their support for them over the Internet. Different communities celebrate this holiday in various ways.

Some organize parades, others hold special ceremonies, and some open their fire stations to the public. The work of firefighters is invaluable, and everyone should take a few moments out of their busy schedules to support these heroes.

The History of International Firefighters’ Day

This holiday can be traced back to the late 1990s. It was established on May 4th, 1999, on the feast day of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, brewers, and chimney sweeps.

The day began after a tragic incident that shook the community in Linton, Australia, on December 2nd, 1998. Firefighters were battling a large wildfire and called for assistance. The strike team deployed included Chris Evans, Stuart Davidson, Garry Vredeveldt, Matthew Armstrong, and Jason Thomas.

These five firefighters were returning from the fire to refill their tankers with water when a sudden wind change caused their truck to be engulfed in flames. This resulted in the deaths of all five firefighters. Their sacrifice, as well as the sacrifices of thousands of firefighters around the world, is commemorated by this holiday.

Some Quick Facts About Firefighters

Below are some quick facts about firefighters that we believe everyone should know. Let’s take a quick look at these facts before we continue our exploration of this holiday.

• There are an estimated 1.1 million firefighters in the U.S.
• The average firefighter in the U.S. earned $54,650 in 2019.
• In 2018, firefighters responded to over 1.3 million fires in the U.S.

Observing International Firefighters’ Day

This day can be observed in several ways. One method many people choose is by wearing the International Firefighters’ Day ribbon on their person or vehicle. Another tradition is for sirens to sound on the first Sunday in May at noon local time.

The sirens blare for 30 seconds and are then followed by a minute of silence in respect for all firefighters who have been lost, especially those who died in the line of duty. People can also pay their respects online by using the hashtag #InternationalFirefightersDay on social media.