HARTFORD, Conn. — Two Connecticut firefighters will be honored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for the 42nd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
The two honorees from Connecticut are Fire Chief William Halstead and Firefighter Mathias Wirtz.
Halstead, 73, was a Sandy Hook volunteer fire and rescue who responded to multiple calls on March 8, 2022. He became ill after arriving home after the calls and died due to a heart attack.
Wirtz, 46, of the North Haven Fire Department, responded to a residential structure fire on Dec. 26, 2022. He became ill while working the exterior of the home, operating an engine pump. He was taken to a hospital where he died due to a heart attack.
Each firefighter's name will be inscribed on a bronze plaque and become a permanent part of the National Memorial in honor of their sacrifices.
The memorial will go from May 6 to May 7 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The tribute this year will honor 79 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2022 and 65 firefighters who died in previous years.
The two events are open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center at 16835 S. Seton Avenue.
On May 6 at 7:30 p.m., there will be the National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service. On May 7 at 10 a.m., there will be the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
There are also events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters.
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