May 4, 2018 – Washington Co., WI – Today, May 4 is International Firefighters’ Day around the world. This special day came about by the efforts of a young lady in Australia who was a volunteer firefighter and lost five members of her department to a tragic wild land fire in her home country. She started with an email she sent out and went viral.
The date of May 4 was linked to the feast day of St. Florian [the patron saint of all firefighters]. The first known commander of a firefighting squad in the Roman Empire was St. Florian. Along with other brave souls, St. Florian lost his life protecting others.
In Europe many firefighters for 150 years celebrate May 4 as the “Day of Fire Service” and St. Florian’s Day.
Recently in the United States there has been a social media movement to recognize International Firefighters Day.
Ron Naab reports that many of his brothers and sisters in Ecuador celebrate this day as well.