Local fire brigades often hold events in their communities and at noon on Sunday will sound their sirens for 30 seconds and follow this with a minute’s silence in memory of fallen firefighters. This is known as a ‘sound off’.
In the year ending December 2024, Fire and Rescue Services around the UK attended 38,144 primary fires (fires within a dwelling or other building). They also attended 211,631 non-fire incidents which is the largest figure since the year ending December 2011. These incidents include RTCs, flooding and collaboration with other emergency services. While the profession remains a dangerous one, with 2,408 injuries being reported, there were no firefighter fatalities in 2024 which is a positive reflection of the health and safety improvements the brigades around the UK are implementing.
Red and blue ribbons are worn in recognition of International Firefighter’s Day. Not only are these colours internationally recognised as representing emergency services, but they also symbolise the main elements that firefighters work with – red for fire and blue for water. Sunday is an important day to recognise and remember the brave firefighters who run toward the danger to make sure that the rest of us can walk away safely.