Mont Alto volunteer will be remembered at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
A Mont Alto firefighter who died on New Year’s Day 2022 will be honored during the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, at National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Md.
The heroism of Brian Keith Martinez
Brian Keith Martinez, 46, discovered his neighbor’s house on fire on Nov. 23, 2021.
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“He called 911 and without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he entered the burning building to make sure no one was inside,” according to his profile on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Roll of Honor. “He became ill two days later and entered the hospital on Nov. 29, 2021.
“He fought hard to get better and came home to spend what turned out to be his last Christmas with his family. Brian ultimately succumbed to complications of COVID-19 and passed away at 5:05 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.”
The decorated U.S. Navy veteran and his wife, Theresa Daniels Martinez, had moved to Mont Alto in 2008. He joined the Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Department in 2014 as a volunteer firefighter and rescue technician.
“He took his duties as a volunteer firefighter very seriously by attending many training courses the department offered,” according to NFFF. “During his tenure with MAVFD, he served as a trustee, sergeant and lieutenant.”
In addition his wife, his survivors include his parents, five children, a sister, a brother, numerous other relatives and his firehouse family
“Brian loved his family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them,” the profile says. “Brian’s memory will live on in those who knew and loved him.”
How will the fallen firefighters be honored?
Eighty-nine firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years will be honored during the weekend.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes — and their families.”
There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center during Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Fire Capt. Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on Sunday at 10 a.m. and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Both will be live streamed on NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The weekend features other activities just for families and fire departments of the fallen firefighters.
More about the NFFF
The NFFF was created by the U.S. Congress and its mission is to honor America's fallen fire heroes; support their families, colleagues and organizations; and work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park includes the National Fallen Firefighters Monument, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel, a brick Walk of Honor, a September 11th memorial sculpture and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Bell of Remembrance.
This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Mont Alto volunteer to be honored at Fallen Firefighters Memorial
