Firefighters and their families from across Baltimore County came together Sunday in Towson to remember their own who have diedin the line of duty.
“The fire service is truly a call by God,” said the Rev. Robert Brooks, a retired fire captain. “They knew that when they said their goodbyes and headed off to the fire house that it might be the last time they saw their loved ones.”
A representative of the Friedel family attends the ceremony every year, said Connie Friedel, sister-in-law of Charles Friedel, who suffered a fatal heart attack in 1979 after fighting fires all day and night in a blizzard. Donald Friedel, brother of the firefighter, choked up as officials read the names of all 39 firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have died in the line of duty since 1928, following each with the chime of a bell and honorary salute.
Fire Chief John Hohman placed a wreath of red flowers near the Fire Service Memorial Shrine in Courthouse Square, and a lone trumpeter played “Taps.” The county?s stations and the names of 17 career firefighters and 22 volunteer members are engraved in the shrine.
“Those who have made the supreme sacrifice, they can?t be forgotten,” said retired Fire Chief Elwood H. Banister. “Once you join this fraternity, you are a member forever.”
The last firefighter to die in the line of duty was also the first woman to do so. Connie Bornman went into cardiac arrest after treating a patient suffering chest pain in 2004 during her sixth call of the day. Nearly half of all firefighters who died on duty last year suffered heart attacks, according to the United States Fire Administration.
Banister, described as a “caretaker” of local fire history, said he believes the job is getting safer in light of equipment improvements and fire safety education.
The law enforcement community gathered earlier this month to honor police officers who have died on duty.
Event organizers said they try to coordinate the ceremonies with Memorial Day.
Recently killed in the line of duty
» 2000: Robert W. Humphrey ? Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Co.
» 2001: Raymond S. Bosley ? Baltimore County Fire Department Station 1
» 2003: Thomas F. Brown ? Baltimore County Fire Department Station 6
» 2004: Richard A. Jones ? Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Co;
Connie C. Bornman ? Middle River Volunteer Ambulance Co.
