Flags are to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, May 5, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an annual observance honoring the sacrifices of firefighters across the country who have died in the line of duty.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the US flag, all other flags — including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise — should also be lowered during the same duration of time.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will host a ceremony on Sunday morning at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Md., during which 226 fallen firefighters — 89 of whom died in the line of service in 2023 and 137 others in previous years — will be memorialized by having their names added to a bronze plaque that will be unveiled during the ceremony, becoming a permanent part of the federal park.

North Haven FD Lieutenant Anthony A. DeSimone, 50, is being added to the memorial this year. DeSimone suffered a fatal medical emergency on August 24 after returning home from a 38-hour continuous shift at his fire station.

A Candlelight Service for families will be conducted Saturday night. The Memorial Service for all families, friends and fellow firefighters will be Sunday at 10 am, and will be livestreamed at weekend.firehero.org/