AFAC 2021 National Memorial Service
On Friday the 14th of May, Fire and emergency service personnel who have died in the line of duty will be commemorated at the National Memorial Service. The service will be held in Canberra at The National Emergency Services Memorial.
It marks the first gathering of the fire and emergency service community at the National Emergency Service Memorial since the devastating 2019–20 bushfire season as last year COVID interrupted normal proceedings.
The National Emergency Services Memorial was opened in July 2004 by Prime Minister John Howard, in honour of the thousands of people who have served in Australia’s emergency services organisations. In May 2018, a Memorial Wall was unveiled at the site by The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security. The wall displays the names of emergency services personnel who have been killed in the line of duty, and honours their commitment to keeping our communities safe. The wall was jointly funded by the Commonwealth of Australia and AFAC, the National Council for fire and emergency services in Australia and New Zealand.
An AFAC Memorial Medallion will be presented to the families of the 12 fire and emergency personnel commemorated at this year’s National Memorial Service.
An additional 12 names will be engraved to the Memorial Wall, a permanent reminder of the 578 personnel who have lost their lives while keeping communities safe in Australia and New Zealand.
The National Memorial Service will be attended by His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley.
The service is a public event. Media and Members of Parliament are invited to attend to promote the role of fire and emergency services, and acknowledge the sacrifices made protecting communities.
When: Friday 14 May 2021 08:45am (sharp)
Where: National Emergency Service Memorial, Rond Terrace, Parkes ACT
For those unable to be in Canberra for this year’s Memorial, you can livestream the event via the AFAC YouTube channel.
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