VIDEO: The Fort Smith Fire Department (FSFD) is launching a fundraising campaign to build a permanent memorial honoring firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The Fallen Firefighter Memorial will be located at Station 1 and is intended to serve as a place of reflection for the community. At the center of the memorial will be a life-size bronze statue, surrounded by engraved pavers forming a Maltese cross โ a symbol long associated with fire service.
Donations and the purchase of personalized pavers will help fund the project. โOur goal is never letting those who die in the line of duty be forgotten,โ Battalion Chief Evan Mallard said. โThey were before us. They got us to where we are now, and we need to cement their names and a legacy so that we can remember them.โ
According to the department, all donations go directly to the Fort Smith Firefighters Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible and will be used exclusively to complete the memorial. FSFD said the donation site for the memorial is live and ready to use. A 4×8 customizable brick starts at $150 while an 8×8 brick with custom artwork goes for $2,500. Division Chief Ethan Millard said corporate bricks are also available for businesses wishing to show support. Payments, he said, may be made via PayPal or by printing a form from the site to pay by check.
