Every year on May 4, International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is observed to commemorate the service and dedication of firefighters. It was founded after a proposal was emailed around the world on January 4, 1999, in response to the tragic deaths of five firefighters in a bushfire in Australia. The day honors those who have died while performing their duties. On this day, people wear a symbolic red and blue-ribbon badge to show their appreciation for firefighters and to raise awareness about the dangers they face. Firefighters devote their lives to ensuring the safety of people and property. This commitment can take the form of countless hours of voluntary work over many years, or it can take the form of many years of selfless service in the industry. In all cases, it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life. International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is a day that the whole world comes together to celebrate and appreciate the sacrifices that firefighters make to keep their communities and environment secure. It’s also a day to thank current and former firefighters for their efforts. A catastrophic incident shook the Linton Community, Australia, and the world on December 2, 1998. Firefighters in Linton, Australia, a populated area in Victoria, were battling a massive bush fire and requested assistance. The Geelong West Fire Brigade responded to an urgent mutual aid call, unaware of the despair and disaster that lay ahead. Garry Vredeveldt, Chris Evans, Stuart Davidson, Jason Thomas, and Matthew Armstrong all loaded their belongings into the company’s vehicle. They were part of a strike force that had been sent to help put out the fires. The wind abruptly changed direction as the five approached the hot zone, engulfing the truck in flames and killing all five occupants. JJ Edmondson was motivated by this tragic event to create an international holiday, International Firefighters’ Day, to commemorate the lives lost and to honor the committed firefighters who risk their lives every day to save lives and property. Following the incident, on January 4, 1999, a resolution was sent to all countries to remember the firefighters and others who died while performing their duties. One of the key reasons for commemorating this day is to emphasize the importance of fire safety and the need for more rigorous and comprehensive training.
The blue and red ribbon is a significant emblem associated with International Firefighters’ Day. The ribbon is cut to a precise width of one centimeter and a length of five centimeters, with the two separate colors joining at the tip. JJ Edmondson chose blue and red as his colors because of the symbolism associated with them. The color blue is meant to represent water, while the color red is meant to represent fire. Red and blue are both the colors associated with emergency services around the world, making red and blue the perfect choice of colors to commemorate an international holiday. The lapel, also known as the fold of fabric on a shirt, is where the ribbon is usually worn, but it is not limited to that place. Some people often use it to decorate their car visors, caps, curtains, and car mirrors, as well as to hang it from trees in their front lawn. There are a plethora of areas where this ribbon can be used; all you have to do is get imaginative. The red and blue ribbon is a straightforward but successful way to express support for International Firefighters’ Day. On this day, there are many wonderful ways to honor firefighters. Most importantly, this day is about expressing our gratitude for their commitment, risks, and dedication, so make sure our local firefighters know how much we appreciate them. It’s the thought that counts and small gestures go a long way, so taking a cake down to the fire station would be a pleasant gesture. You may also donate to one of the several firefighter charities that exist, some of which assist firefighters who have been wounded in the line of duty in receiving the medical care they need and returning to health. One of the key themes of International Firefighters’ Day is fire safety and the need for more rigorous and comprehensive preparation. Firefighters and their partners all over the world are actively emphasizing the importance of fire safety in classrooms, communities, public gatherings, assemblies, and even within their own families. Training is the best way to keep firefighters alive and return home to their families. In several paying fire departments, each employee is expected to complete a certain amount of training during each shift. Unfortunately, it is not how much you train that matters, but how much you train. As a result, preparation must be as rigorous and practical as possible. The International Firefighters’ Day emphasizes this ideal. That there is a pressing need for proper preparation, and that IFFD provides an excellent opportunity to do so. Wearing a red and blue ribbon, the colors of water and fire, will also help to raise awareness about the risks that firefighters bravely face every day. On Firefighters Day, there are also a variety of art projects focused on the day’s emblem that we can enjoy. Wearing a ribbon, baking a cake, or contributing a few dollars to a charity might not seem like big gestures to us, but they will certainly mean a lot to those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Hazardous Materials Specialists, Fire Prevention Specialists, paid firefighters, volunteer firefighters, wildland firefighters, heavy equipment operators/mechanics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and several more are all recognized on IFFD. Some of these jobs which seem insignificant; however, without all sectors of the emergency department services cooperating, one will not be able to function without the other; therefore, International Firefighters’ Day has become a time to honor everyone who works in the emergency services.
