Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way every time they show up to a call. Unfortunately, approximately 65 firefighters lose their lives each year in the line of duty.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- ‘RIP’ Firefighter Funeral Quotes
- Short Quotes to Share on a Firefighters Memorial Page or Social Media
- Firefighter Funeral Quotes to Share on a Death Anniversary
We would like to offer our condolences if you are planning the funeral services for a loved one who was a firefighter. It is worth mentioning that some funeral homes give discounts on their services to the families of firefighters.
We would additionally like to help by providing this list of quotes. You might use these in the eulogy, the funeral program, or to display during a slideshow of photos.
‘RIP’ Firefighter Funeral Quotes
Are you looking for a quote about death to use for your loved one’s funeral? While many people use quotes about grief and loss, you might also want to consider using a quote about bravery, sacrifice, and honor.
1. “When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.”
There are a lot of different firefighter prayers and poems. These are the first two lines of one of the poems. This particular piece ends: “And if according to your will I have to lose my life,
bless with your protecting hand, my loving family from strife.”
2. “Give Me Concern // A willingness to seek out those in need // Give Me Courage // The boldness of spirit to face and conquer fear, // share and endure the ordeal of others in need. // Give Me Strength // Strength of heart, to bear whatever burden // might be placed on me and strength of body to // deliver safely all those placed in my care // Give Me Wisdom to Lead // The Compassion to comfort and the Love to serve unselfishly wherever you take me. // And please Lord, through it all, be at my side.”
We know that this is more of a poem than a quote, but these beautifully written words would be a poignant choice to use at a firefighter’s funeral.
3. “When a man becomes a fireman his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work.” – Edward F. Croker
Edward F. Croker was a firefighter and famous for creating laws to safeguard against fire hazards.
4. “The role of a firefighter in today’s society – be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defense force, aviation, motorsport, or other is one of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice – no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service, we fight together against one common enemy – fire – no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.” – Lt. J. J. Edmondson
Edmondson is the founder of International Firefighters’ Day.
5. “The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” – Thucydides
This Greek historian and general may not have been speaking specifically about firefighters, but the quote certainly describes the bravery required for that job.
6. “Fight till the last gasp.” – William Shakespeare
This Shakespearean quote describes the heroism of a firefighter.
7. “The funny thing about firemen is, night and day, they are always firemen.” – Gregory Widen
Even if a firefighter leaves at the end of a shift, they know that they need to be ready at a moment’s notice to help their comrades if an emergency arises. This makes firefighting less of a job and more of a calling.
8. “I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that this is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives.” – Edward F. Croker
Few would call this profession a “lowly one.” On the contrary, firefighting is always on the list of the most respected professions.
9. “Whether it’s police officers, firefighters, first responders, or 911 dispatchers, many dedicated Americans work long hours, and often in difficult conditions, to make sure that when someone’s in need, they can help.” – Ajit Pai
Ajit Pai is the former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States.
10. “I was a big fan of Indiana Jones; then I realized he was kind of a fake hero. The real heroes are the people who work hard and do their stuff right, like firefighters and policemen.” – Nathan Gamble
Nathan Gamble is an actor known for his work in Dolphin Tale.
Short Quotes to Share on a Firefighters Memorial Page or Social Media
You might not be in charge of planning a funeral for a firefighter. Instead, you might be looking for a quote to share on your social media page to honor a friend who is a fallen hero. So here are some quotes about firefighters, bravery, and courage.
11. “Courage can’t see around corners, but goes around them anyway.” – Mignon McLaughlin
McLaughlin was an American journalist.
12. “They bravely march into the depths of hell to face the fears of many, and extinguish the demons that rage free.” – Unknown
This description of a firefighter’s duties may sound shocking, but it is probably accurate.
13. “Once you have a firefighter in your family, your family and the families from his crew become one big extended family.” – Denis Leary
One good thing about the firefighter community is that it is often described as a very close-knit group.
14. “Nothing cries out for compassion, concern, and danger as a fire engine screams by carrying firefighters ready to do battle without flinching from any demand.” – Byron Pulsifer
Think about this the next time you hear sirens in your community. But, of course, if you are the family of a firefighter, you probably already pray when you hear the sirens.
15. “Firemen never know what they will encounter on each call but proceed with the same level of commitment and service.” – Byron Pulsifer
The same is often said of police officers. Both first responders start each day without knowing what the day may bring.
16. “But sound aloud the praises, and give the victor-crown to our noble-hearted Firemen, who fear not danger’s frown.” – Frederic G.W. Fenn
Fenn wrote “Ode to Our Firemen” in 1878.
17. “People are always asking me how it is that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. Courage is the answer.” – Quote from Ladder 49
John Travolta played Captain Mike Kennedy in the 2004 movie Ladder 49. This quote can be found in that movie.
18. “True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow. That’s what courage is.” – General Norman Schwarzkopf
We love this quote from a person who knew something about the meaning of courage.
19. “Courage is resistance to fear, the mastery of fear – not the absence of fear.” – Mark Twain
Mark Twain, of course, was one of the most famous American authors. He was known for creating the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
Firefighter Funeral Quotes to Share on a Death Anniversary
Families sometimes feel alone when commemorating the anniversary of their loved one’s death. While they might have been inundated with love and support immediately following the death, people sometimes forget to continue that support as time passes.
You might consider marking the date of the death on your calendar so that you can reach out to the family of the deceased on significant anniversaries. Here are some quotes to share about death and heroism.
20. “Firefighters never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved.” – Susan Murphree
We love this quote. It reminds the families of fallen firefighters that strangers may be honoring their loved ones for an act performed in the line of duty.
21. “Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, & how to be free from it, that’s the point. The necessity of action takes away the fear of the act and makes bold resolution the favorite of fortune.” – Francis Quarles
Francis Quarles was an English poet who died in 1644.
22. “Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.” – David Thomas
“Unselfish” is a wonderful way to describe the heart of the profession.
23. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Firefighters lay down their lives for strangers as well as friends.
24. “Firefighters save more than homes. They save hearts, memories, and dreams.” – Unknown
Perhaps the family of the deceased need this reminder.
25. “I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut wrote Slaughterhouse-Five, among other pieces.
26. “If Prometheus was worthy of the wrath of heaven for kindling the first fire upon earth, how ought all the gods to honor the men who make it their professional business to put it out?” – John Godfrey Saxe
This is an interesting take on the firefighting profession.
27. “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell
We love this description of heroic behavior.
28. “No path of flowers leads to glory.” – Jean de La Fontaine
This French poet was not writing about firefighters, but this quote describes the profession.
How Will You Honor Your Loved One?
As you say goodbye to your loved one, how will you commemorate their lives? Some families keep traditions alive to honor the people who have passed. Others may start a scholarship fund or perform an act of service to remember their deceased loved ones. Still, others may get a firefighter memorial tattoo to say goodbye to someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
FAQs
What is a saying when a firefighter dies? ›
Bell service (“Last Alarm” or “Last Call”)
In some traditions, it is tolled three time; in others, three sets of three; and in others, three sets of five. The bell ringing recalls a time when the fire bell rang to call firefighters to an alarm and then, again, to signal that the alarm had ended.
“A good firefighter knows how, an educated firefighter knows why.” Don't train till you get it right, train till you can't get it wrong! The future belongs to those who prepare. Winning begets winning, and so does losing, laziness, etc…
What is the short firefighter motto? ›- Firefighting, It's Your Dream Job.
- Firefighting Is Forever.
- Saving Lives Has Always Been Our Top Priority.
- Can't Do It In Real Life? Do It On Firefighting.
- Every Firefighter Has A Story.
- Firefighting. Unscripted.
- Firefighting Perfection, At Its Finest.
- Passion For Firefighting.
Thank you for all you do, for the sacrifices you make to defend us. I will always feel greatly indebted to you for your willingness to serve and protect us. I want to give you my gratitude for your willingness to sign on the line. Thank you for being willing to sign on the line to do this job, not sure I could do that.
How do you honor the death of a firefighter? ›The signs of mourning can include shrouded badges, bunting placed on the station's sign (and on the firefighter's engine or apparatus during the funeral procession), and the American flag at the station lowered to half-staff. Most departments assign a member to be the family liaison.
Why do firefighters have 20 bells at funerals? ›Departments sounded a series of bells when a firefighter died in the line of duty to alert all members that a comrade had made the ultimate sacrifice. This time-honored tradition continues today during the funerals or memorial services for firefighters.
What are some short inspirational quotes? ›- “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” — ...
- “Opportunities don't happen, you create them.” — ...
- “Love your family, work super hard, live your passion.” — ...
- “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” —
- “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” – Confucius.
- “Magic is believing in yourself. ...
- “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” – Walt Disney.
- “The real test is not whether you avoid this failure…
- Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about. - ...
- Life is a long lesson in humility. - ...
- In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. - ...
- Love the life you live. ...
- Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. -
Firefighters are people whose job is to put out fires.
What is the firefighter prayer? ›
When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age. Or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
What is short for firefighter? ›FF (Firefighter) FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) FM (Factory Mutual or Few Moments/Minutes or Fire Marshal)
How do you say thank you to a fireman? ›Send a hand-written card or letter to a local police or fire station. If you want to make a bigger impression, gather several letters and cards from the community and deliver them personally. You would be surprised the power of writing a simple “thank you” card has.
How do firefighters show appreciation? ›...
- Send them a gift the whole station can use. ...
- Bring them lots of their favorites! ...
- Give the Gift that keeps on giving.
Courage. A firefighter must have courage. They routinely face dangerous situations, including burning buildings and vehicles. They must be able to put any fear aside and still do their job safely and effectively.
What sacrifices do firefighters make? ›Despite the inherent dangers of running into a burning building or responding to a medical emergency, the real toll of the job is often an accumulation of invisible wounds that build up over the years, including: A front row to devastation and human suffering. Long hours away from family and friends.
Do firefighters get a flag on their casket? ›Flag for casket (Some states have passed a Firefighters' Memorial Flag Act to honor firefighters who have died in the line-of-duty and have issued a directive prescribing standards and requirements for the use, display, distribution, and return of the Firefighters' Memorial Flag.
What is the symbol for a fallen firefighter? ›The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the Fire Fighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago.
What does 5555 mean to firefighters? ›What does 5555 mean to firefighters? 11 and never found. The 5-5-5-5 code has been used in the city's firehouses since 1870; it signals a death, generally of a colleague or the mayor, and tells firefighters to lower the American flag to half-staff. Takedown request | View complete answer on nytimes.com.
What does 5555 mean fire department? ›When a firefighter died in the line of duty, the fire alarm office would tap out a special signal. That signal was five measured dashes, then a pause, then five measured dashes, another pause…then five more dashes.
What does 3 bells mean firefighter? ›
At the funeral, the ringing of the bell is symbolic. According to the IAFF protocol: "The ringing of the bell represents the end of the emergency and the return to quarters, and is usually three rings of the bell, three times."
What are 3 good quotes? ›The Best Quotes About Life
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.” “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.” “To live is the rarest thing in the world.
- “Do the best you can. ...
- “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ―Theodore Roosevelt.
- 'It's never too late to be what you might've been.” ―George Eliot.
- “If you can dream it, you can do it.” ―Walt Disney.
- “Trust yourself that you can do it and get it.” ―Baz Luhrmann.
- “I'll be there.”
- “I love you.”
- “Maybe you're right.”
- “I trust you.”
- “Go for it.”
- “Got your back.”
- “How are you?”
- “I want you.”
- “Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” ~ Anne Frank.
- “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” ...
- “Motivation is what gets you started. ...
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” ...
- “Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.” ...
- “We are what we repeatedly do.
- “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” ~ T.S Eliot.
- “Never regret anything that made you smile.” ~ Mark Twain.
- “Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. “ ~ James Dean.
- “All limitations are self-imposed.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes.
- “Life is like riding a bicycle.
- “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” – ...
- “Surprise yourself everyday with your own courage.” – ...
- “Courage is only an accumulation of small steps.” – ...
- “I like to use the hard times in the past to motivate me today.” – ...
- “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” “When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go.” “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
What is a famous short quote? ›"If you're going through hell, keep going." "There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true." "The price of greatness is responsibility." "The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes."
What is a simple sentence about firefighters? ›He was rescued by firefighters.
What is a simple sentence about firemen? ›
(1) The fireman evacuated the guests from the burning hotel. (2) He is a fireman. (3) The fireman sent jets of water into the burning house. (5) The fireman chopped a hole in the wall.
What are firemen called now? ›The term “fireman” was officially replaced with “firefighter” in all formal Brigade contracts in the late 1980s.
What is the fireman's prayer funeral? ›"When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, Give me strength to save some life whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it is too late. Or save an older person from the horror of that fate. And hear the weakest shout, and quickly and effectively to put the fire out.
What is the four prayer? ›The tradition of the Catholic Church highlights four basic elements of Christian prayer: (1) Prayer of Adoration/Blessing, (2) Prayer of Contrition/Repentance, (3) Prayer of Thanksgiving/Gratitude, and (4) Prayer of Supplication/Petition/Intercession.
What is fire Bible verse? ›Psalm 21:8-9 “Thine hand shall find out ALL THINE ENEMIES: Thy right hand shall find out those that hate Thee; Thou shalt make them as a FIERY OVEN in the time of Thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, AND THE FIRE SHALL DEVOUR THEM.” Rise up and command “the FIRE of the LORD” to consume and destroy ...
What do you call a female firefighter? ›fire·wom·an ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌwu̇-mən. plural firewomen. : a female firefighter. a volunteer firewoman.
What is a firefighter squad called? ›A rescue squad is an emergency service that provides technical rescue services, and may also provide emergency medical services and firefighting services. Rescue squads may be standalone organizations or an integrated part of fire departments or emergency medical services.
What do you call a male firefighter? ›Male firefighters are sometimes referred to as firemen (and, less commonly, a female firefighter as firewoman).
How do you express thanks in one word? ›- I appreciate you!
- You are the best.
- I appreciate your help so much.
- I wanted to thank you for your help.
- I value the help you've given me.
- I am so thankful for you in my life.
The ideal note is brief and to the point. Start by thanking the person, with specificity, for their gift or kind act. Write about how you plan to use their gift or how their actions made you feel. And then reiterate your thanks and mention the next time you'll see the person.
Why are firefighters loved? ›
Firefighters save lives and help others, which is part of why they enjoy such an esteemed position in our society. In fact, a recent Harris Poll suggests that alongside doctors, scientists, and military officers, firefighters enjoy more job-related prestige than other professionals.
What do firefighters respond to the most? ›Firefighters are on call to respond to a variety of emergencies. In fact, the majority of emergencies that firefighters respond to are medical issues, not fires. This means it's essential that firefighters are trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Their duties don't end once they return to the fire station.
What do firefighters value? ›As members of the Fire Service, we share a responsibility to project an ethical character of professionalism, integrity, compassion, loyalty and honesty in all that we do, all of the time.
What are 3 things that firefighters do? ›- Respond to emergencies.
- Drive firetrucks and other emergency vehicles.
- Put out fires using water hoses, fire extinguishers, and water pumps.
- Find and rescue occupants of burning buildings or other emergency situations.
- Treat sick or injured people.
Firefighters are trained to control and put out fires. Firefighters must work quickly and as a team to keep fires from spreading. They connect hoses to fire hydrants and operate pumps to power the hoses to help control the fire. They may also need to rescue people who are trapped inside burning buildings.
What makes a fireman a hero? ›Firefighters consider themselves humble public servants, but they are, in fact, heroes for their work to rescue citizens from burning buildings, pull them from wreckage, and place their own lives at risk in order to protect their brother and sister firefighters and the public at large.
Do you salute a fallen firefighter? ›The funeral details issue a hand salute on order of the OIC, “Present Arms.” All service members will salute if Taps is sounded. They will bow during prayers and an officer will fold the flag from the casket and issue it to the family.
What is a fire funeral called? ›A funeral pyre is a method of cremation where the body is burned on or within a pile of wood.
What are the four fives? ›The Four Fives - O+ Hello, we're The Four Fives, Brooklyn's best-if-not-only active barbershop quartet. We're four old college friends that have been singing together since 1997: Jeremy Gough on tenor, Adam Arian on lead, Nick Moy on baritone, and Jed Schmidt on bass.
What is the last call at a funeral? ›Last Radio Call – This tradition started in the Eastern U.S. and has now spread nationwide. It may be held at the end of the graveside service (or funeral), or whenever is deemed appropriate. It may be brief or include more information about the officer.
What is the number one thing that kills firefighters? ›
According to IAFF, occupational cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for more than 65 percent of the line-of-duty deaths added to the IAFF Fire Fighter Memorial Wall of Honor each year.
What are the 3 parts of the funeral? ›Parts of a Funeral Ceremony
They are the visitation, funeral ceremony, committal service, and a funeral reception.
cremation, the practice of reducing a corpse to its essential elements by burning. crematorium. Related Topics: death rite.
What are words at a funeral called? ›What is a eulogy? A eulogy, also known as a funeral speech, is a loving way for someone close to the deceased to pay their respects during the ceremony. The speech typically reflects on the life and achievements of the person who has died, paying tribute to their personality and memory.
What does 555 mean in fire service? ›When a firefighter died in the line of duty, the fire alarm office would tap out a special signal. That signal was five measured dashes, then a pause, then five measured dashes, another pause…then five more dashes.
How many times does a bell ring at a firefighter funeral? ›When a firefighter died in the line of duty or when some important official or personage died, headquarters would transmit five bell strikes, repeated in four series, with a slight pause between each series, followed by the announcement.
What is the firefighter oath? ›I will never allow my personal feelings, nor danger to self, deter me from my responsibilities as a firefighter. I will at all times, respect the property and rights of all men and women, the laws of my country, and members I serve with.