Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Pittsburgh Firefighters IAFF Local No. 1 on Saturday to dedicate the city’s first memorial honoring all 138 of Pittsburgh’s fallen firefighters. The brief ceremony, shared publicly by the city and the governor’s office as communities observed National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, was described by organizers as a long-overdue place of remembrance for families and colleagues.
I was humbled to join @PghFireFighters IAFF Local No. 1 as we dedicated the first memorial to honor all 138 of Pittsburgh’s fallen firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting this community.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) May 2, 2026
This new memorial will serve not only as a symbol of their courage but… pic.twitter.com/0ldsU88z1w
Shapiro At The Dedication
According to a post from the City of Pittsburgh on X, Shapiro joined members of IAFF Local No. 1 to dedicate the new memorial, which honors 138 firefighters who died in the line of duty. Local coverage also noted that the governor planned to deliver remarks in Pittsburgh as part of the weekend observances, as reported by WPXI.
Flags Lowered For Memorial Weekend
The governor ordered U.S. and Commonwealth flags on state buildings to fly at half-staff on Sunday in observance of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, according to the governor’s office. In announcing the notice, Shapiro said, “Every single day, firefighters across Pennsylvania literally run towards danger to keep our neighbors safe from harm, and we owe it to these heroes to have their backs,” as reported by FOX29.
A Long Roll Call
The Pittsburgh Fire Fighters union says it represents nearly 700 members, and its website maintains a “Last Alarm” roll that lists firefighters who died in the performance of their duties. According to Pittsburgh Fire Fighters IAFF Local No. 1, the new memorial creates a single place to recognize those names across the department’s long history.
Why The Memorial Matters
Union leaders and city officials described the site as a focal point for remembrance for families who have lost loved ones. The governor’s appearance highlighted state-level recognition of firefighter sacrifice, and officials encouraged residents to observe the flag order and memorial events over the weekend, according to WPXI.
