On Sept. 21, firefighters from the Falcon Fire Protection District paid tribute at the International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Firefighters Memorial to firefighters and paramedics who gave their lives in the line of duty in 2012. Other firefighters from across the state and 400 motorcyclists attended the memorial procession that began at the Shops at Briargate.Donna Bryant, a U.S. Navy veteran, was a special guest at the memorial this year, riding in Falcon Engine No. 311. Donna has muscular dystrophy, and the services she has received are a direct result of fundraising efforts by the FFPD.A proud partnershipA boot filled with spare change is music to the ears of your Falcon firefighters. During the month of September, firefighters stood outside businesses to collect money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as part of the Fill the Boot campaign.†The International Association of Fire Fighters is the largest national sponsor of the†Muscular Dystrophy Association. Funds go toward research efforts, MDAís summer camps for children, professional and public health education and more.IAFF and fire department members have donated nearly $450 million to MDA since 1954.FFPDís Fill the Boot campaign raised more than $2,500 for the MDA. Thank you, Falcon community, for your generous donations!9/11 Memorial Stair ClimbThe annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Denver honors the 364 firefighters who died Sept. 11. The stair walk recognizes the New York†firefighters who climbed stairs in the World Trade Center towers to rescue and evacuate people and reach the fire floors. Walking those stairs also symbolizes firefighter safety through better fitness. †Firefighters need to be in top physical condition, as they ascend the Century Link tower in downtown Denver wearing full bunker gear, air packs and carrying a piece of equipment used for high-rise fires (e.g. 2.5″ hose pack or a forcible entry tool). They climb 110 stories, equivalent to the same climb that FDNY firefighters made on 9/11.Members from Falcon and Cimarron Hills fire departments have taken part in this event since 2007. When firefighters enter the stairwell for the climb, they select a card that bears the name of one of the fallen FDNY members to carry with them.Honoring one of our ownOn Sept. 6, FFPD firefighters attended the Celebration of Life memorial for Jerry Manley, the first chief of the Falcon Fire Protection District. Prior to that, he was the second chief of the Falcon Fire Department and was instrumental in developing the FFPD. He served as the chief from 1979 to1983. Jerry helped plan construction of the Falcon Fire Station on Highway 24 and Old Meridian Road, now known as Falcon Fire Station 3.†Jerryís wife, Nancy, also helped as a member of the FFPDís auxiliary. Thank you to the Manley family for being part of this community.
