Fallen firefighters memorial in Maryland closed ahead of cermony due to DHS shutdown

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Families of fallen firefighters may be unable to access a national memorial honoring their loved ones due to a federal funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation says the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial is currently closed to the public, just weeks before its annual remembrance ceremony.

The closure is tied to restricted access at the National Emergency Training Center campus, which houses the memorial and falls under DHS operations.

In early May, the foundation is set to honor 204 firefighters from 43 states during the 45th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, scheduled for May 2-3.

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For many families, this event represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the site where their loved ones are permanently honored.

“These families…should be able to stand where their loved ones are recognized by our nation,” said CEO Victor Stagnaro.

The foundation is calling on federal leaders to restore access to the memorial ahead of the ceremony, emphasizing the memorial’s emotional importance to grieving families.

“Congress established the memorial to ensure America remembers its fire heroes,” Stagnaro said. “We urge federal leaders to act now.”

While the foundation says it remains committed to holding Memorial Weekend services with dignity, public access to the ground remains uncertain unless funding issues are resolved.