National memorial honors fallen firefighters

For the 20th time, Mountain Green Fire Chief Brian Brendel (left) once again led the Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The ceremony took place Sunday, May 7, 2023 at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Chief Brendel has been attending the Memorial service with firefighter pipe and drum bands since 1993 and in 2003 was chosen Lead Drum Major of the combined firefighter bagpipe band with membership from across the United States. 

The Utah contingent was at the Memorial this year to honor Unified Fire Authority Engineer Chris Cage, who had responded to the 9/11 attack with Utah USAR Task Force 1 and developed 9/11 related cancer. Each year the National Fallen Firefighter service adds to the National Memorial the names of Firefighters who died in the line of duty. This year, 144 Firefighters were honored, 79 who died in 2022, and 65 who died in previous years.

Chief Brendel also leads the Unified Fire Authority of Greater Salt Lake's Pipes and Drums, and the Utah Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, representing all of Utah at Line-of-Duty First Responder memorial services.