EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Two Connecticut firefighters who perished in the line of duty have been honored by President Barack Obama and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Kevin Bell of the Hartford Fire Department and Deputy Chief David Fiori of the New Britain Fire Department were among those honored at the foundation's annual national memorial service in Emmitsburg, Maryland Sunday.
The group recognized 84 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2014 and three others who died in previous years.
President Barack Obama spoke for 12 minutes, honoring the members of the "selfless profession" and their families. "You remember them as moms and dads, siblings and spouses, friends and neighbors," the president said. "Today we salute them and remember them as the heroes that they were."
"Every single day men and women leave their homes, leave their families to save the lives of people they've never met," Obama said.
Obama spoke before a crowd of thousands and offered condolences to each of the firefighters' families, and mentioned Kevin Bell in his speech, saying Bell was like so many firefighters who never talked about their heroic actions.
Bell's wife Wayatte and daughter Raquel attended the memorial service.
"His daughter Raquel she would later hear from those he helped above and beyond in call of duty, the friend he assisted after a car accident, the classmate he drove to the hospital after an epileptic seizure," Obama said.
Fiori, a 36-year veteran of the New Britain Fire Department, died after suffering a heart-attack in May 2014 at the firehouse after responding to several calls during his shift.
At his memorial service, he was described as highly regarded and a "go-to" chief. Fiori's brother, two sons, daughter and wife, Karen attended the memorial ceremony.
"It was very healing and a really beautiful ceremony," Fiori said.
On Sunday night, at the Liberty Christian Center in the north-end of Hartford, Kevin Bell was remembered as part of the church's annual candlelight service dedicated to remembering those who passed away within the last year.
On October 7, 2014, firefighter Kevin Lamont Bell was working on a house fire on Blue Hills Avenue when he got entangled in a piece of furniture and his air tank ran empty. He died due to lack of breathing gas.
"Because it`s approaching the one year, it's really hitting home," said Brea Bell, Kevin Bell's first cousin.
Many close family members, including bell's mother, brothers and sisters were at Liberty Christian Center Sunday to honor Kevin Bell.
Several Hartford Fire fighters showed up, including Bell's former co-worker and close friend Lionel Thompson Jr., who show support for Bell's family.
"When I heard Ms. Bell was going to be here, I couldn’t keep myself away.
Despite the tension surrounding the equipment failure that caused bell's death, Thompson says it's important to keep showing their support.
"Because all the questions haven`t been answered. There`s been lies and things in the paper, and once the investigation is finished, I believe people will be a lot calmer and happy," said Thompson.
Many hope a period of adversity because of Bell's untimely death will help shape a positive legacy for him and the Hartford Fire Department.
"I think that`s a big part of his legacy: making it safer, making it fun and making life more enjoyable no mater what," said Brea Bell.
Bell's engine company, Engine Company 16 Fire Station at 636 Blue Hills Ave., will be rnamed after Bell.
The firefighters' names will be etched into the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
