International Firefighter Day

Many people relate May 4th to Star Wars as a result of the pun, “May the Fourth be with you,” a spin-off of the famous quote “may the force be with you.”

However, what’s overshadowed is that May 4th is also National Firefighter Day.

This day gives people the chance to give credit and appreciation to the men and women who fight fires of all kinds to keep people protected and safe.

What began on May 4, 1999, as a result of five deaths after a woodland fire in Australia, this day has been dedicated to bringing awareness to what these firefighters do as a profession.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, NFFF, and members of several communities band together to say thank you to the current firefighters alongside remembering the firefighters who were lost in the line of duty.

“I work at first station 56, next to Kearney Park,” said Richard Medellin, who has been a firefighter for just over a year. “And I love every part of it.”

Medellin said that he’s wanted to be a firefighter ever since he could remember. Some of this is having to do with the fact that he grew up in a military/law enforcement family.

“When I found out about firefighting, I knew this was the job for me,” Medellin said. “Having honor, compassion and courage and being part of a team and giving back to the community.”

Medellin said that when his station gets the call, whether it’s a “fire, car accident, heart attack, their car got stuck, to feeling sick and not knowing why, we get there and want to make their day better.”

There are a multitude of ways to help out the firefighters both in your community and around the world.

You can “Shine Your Light.” To elaborate, light your home up with red lights and share it on social media using #Shine4Firefighters.

If you need red light bulbs, you can support firefighters by buying them on Amazon or Home Depot.

Another way to bring awareness is to write a letter or two to some local fire stations.

You could have young kids write letters and mail them to the station, or you can post something and tag your local station-just make sure to incorporate #Shine4Firefighters, #ThisIsMyFirefighter #WeThankFFs, and/or #FirefightersDay if you post on social media.

If you are located in Fresno, click this link to find the closest fire station.

If you want to make some artwork for firefighters to say thank you and give them some recognition, you can send them by email to photos@firehero.org.

If you just want to keep it simple and donate you can go to the International Firefighters Day website.

The money they raise goes toward their mission: “to honor and remember America’s fallen firefighters, to assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and to prevent firefighter injuries and deaths.”