Plans for new Fallen Firefighter Memorial revealed

The memorial to honor fallen firefighters at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs will be renovated after this weekend’s annual ceremony.

The Fallen Firefighter Memorial was dedicated in 1988 to display the names of fallen firefighters and other first responders across the country. After several years of consideration, the International Association of Firefighters has approved a redesign of the memorial.

“We want to maintain the beauty and integrity of the site but also create a more modern feel,” said Jeremy Kroto, president of the Colorado Springs union.

The memorial’s new version will focus toward the west to allow spectators to have a direct view of Pikes Peak; have a “ring of honor” section for families to sit during ceremonies; gradually increase the height of walls bearing the names of firefighters; and add about 3,000 names from firefighters dating to 1918.

Kroto said the additional names honor firefighters who have died since the IAFF was founded. He said the memorial currently has 3,000 names.

Union dues of IAFF members will finance the project.

“It’s something that we take a lot of ownership in,” Kroto said. “We didn’t want to take sponsors. We want to maintain control of the memorial that pays proper tribute to our people.”

Thomas Filone of Massachusetts, visiting the memorial for the first time this year, likes the current design but doesn’t mind improvements being made.

“I saw the model of it,” he said. “I think they did a phenomenal job on it.”

The model is on display in the Hotel Elegante at Interstate 25 and Circle Drive in south Colorado Springs.