VFBV

International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is observed each year on the 4th May. This is also St Florian's Day, who is the patron saint of firefighters.

St. Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighters and was an officer of the Roman army who was responsible for organising and leading firefighting brigades tasked to fight fires when Rome needed to protect itself against fire being used as an offensive weapon in the third century.

On St. Florian’s Day, firefighters, families and communities across the world take a moment to acknowledge firefighters commitment and dedication to their communities and their selfless duty to protecting lives and property.

Each year, CFA and VFBV come together to honour our fallen firefighters through the annual memorial service which is each year commemorated on the Sunday closest to May 4th. By proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or by participating in a memorial or recognition event, we show our gratitude and respect to firefighters and their families everywhere. The blue and red ribbons are linked to colours symbolic of the main elements firefighters work with – red for fire and blue for water.

This year’s service will be held on Sunday 7 May at VEMI Conference and Event Centre in Mt Macedon as part of the commemorations of the 40th anniversary for the Ash Wednesday fires. The 2023 Annual Memorial Service will be livestreamed by CFA on Sunday for those who are unable to attend in person. 

The Annual Memorial Service is a formal and reflective day to acknowledge and remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their communities. It’s a time for reflection and just one of the ways we can remember the lives of 69 CFA members and 11 Country Fire Brigades Board firefighters (prior to the formation of CFA), who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in service to protecting our communities. The full Role of Honour can be found on CFA’s website. 

This year’s service will be especially poignant following the death of Queensland Fire and Rescue Firefighter Izabella Nash earlier this week which only further highlights the risks that firefighters face while protecting lives and property.  VFBV on behalf of all Victorian firefighters extends its deepest sympathies to Izabella’s family, friends, loved ones and fellow firefighters at this sad time.

Fellow firefighter Lia Drew was also injured at the same fire and is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital, we wish Lia all the best in her recovery and our thoughts are also with Lia, her family, friends and colleagues.

VFBV CEO, Adam Barnett spoke of the importance of the annual memorial service for not only the families, friends and loved once of the fallen, but for all CFA members.

“The annual memorial and St Florian’s Day is a time for us to come together and remember the 80 CFA firefighters who have selflessly given their lives to protect the lives of other Victorians.”

“While we pay tribute to those lost while protecting our communities, it is also a day to reflect on the importance of the work that CFA volunteers do on a daily basis to make Victorian communities safer.”

“On behalf of VFBV, thankyou to all firefighters for your incredible dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property.”