MADISON — As previously announced, on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023, and Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin will be flown at half-staff coinciding with the Final Alarm Ceremony and Silent Procession at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Park in Wisconsin Rapids, which is hosted by the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial, and in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. In May, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #197 ordering the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023, in recognition of the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, and again on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, as required by state statute in observance of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week, October 8 through October 14.

“Each and every day, Wisconsin firefighters risk their own health and safety in order to serve their neighbors in their greatest time of need, and we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude for keeping our communities safe,” said Gov. Evers. “On Firefighters Memorial Day and throughout the year, we honor their immense sacrifice and remember the selflessness and bravery of those firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.”

Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. However, in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. 

Executive Order #197 subsequently orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Oct. 7, 2023, in recognition of the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, and on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, in honor of Fire Prevention Week, which features observances, ceremonies, exercises, and activities related to fire safety education, and culminates with the observance of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day in recognition of the firefighters of this state who made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties over the course of the year. A copy of the governor’s Fire Prevention Week proclamation is available here.