Somerset County firefighter among 3 from New Jersey to be honored at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
EMMITSBURG, MD — The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 3–4, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years.
The honorees will include the following New Jersey firefighters:
- Firefighter Brian F. Ellerson, 57, of the Jersey City Fire Department, died on September 16, 2010, from an illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
- Lieutenant Marques Hudson, 32, of the Plainfield Fire Department, died on January 26, 2024, after becoming trapped in a residential structure fire.
- Deputy Chief Craig M. Konkle, 54, of the South Bound Brook Fire Department, died on March 23, 2024, after responding to a motor vehicle accident.
Detailed information about each of the 226 firefighters being memorialized can be found on the 2025 Roll of Honor.
“This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors. “We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten.”
“Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others — a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. “Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and to ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.”
Events Open to the Public
Two events will be open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend:
-
National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service
Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby, St. Louis Fire Department
(Streaming begins at 7:00 p.m. ET) -
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service
Sunday, May 4, at 10:00 a.m. ET
Hosted by actor Jeremy Holm
(Streaming begins at 9:30 a.m. ET)
Fire service and government leaders will address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday. Both events will be livestreamed on the NFFF’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
Additional activities and small-group sessions will be offered exclusively to the families and fire departments of honored firefighters throughout Friday and Saturday.
Location
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
National Emergency Training Center (NETC)
16835 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
The NFFF will provide live satellite feeds of both events. Technical support is being provided by VISTA Worldlink, Comcast Beltway, and Peak Uplink. Satellite coordinates and images from the 2024 Memorial Weekend can be found here.
How Communities Can Participate
Communities not attending in person are encouraged to participate by:
- Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (April 27–May 4): Light homes, businesses, landmarks, and firehouses in red.
- Bells Across America: Sound bells in remembrance.
- Sound the Sirens: Conduct a brief siren tribute.
- Sign the Virtual Remembrance Banner.
Additionally, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings on Sunday, May 4, and the public is encouraged to lower their flags as well.
Public Access and Parking
Public parking is available at Liberty Mountain Resort (78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, Pa.). Shuttles to the NETC will begin at 6:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Memorial Weekend Support
Memorial Weekend is supported by individual and corporate donors, a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, and in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration, a component of the Department of Homeland Security.
For more information, visit weekend.firehero.org.
