Media Advisory

Fire Department Wreath Laying & Memorial Service

WHEN: October 12, 2012

WHERE: Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia

WHO: Alexandria Fire Department

WHAT: The Alexandria Fire Department will observe National Fire Prevention Week on Friday, October 12, with a Memorial Service and Wreath Laying at 11 a.m. The solemn ceremony is held each year at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King Street, to honor those who have died in the line of duty and to mark the passing of those members of the Department who died during the preceding 12 months. During 2012, five retired members of the Department died and will be honored. On February 9, 2012 the Department suffered the Line of Duty Death of Paramedic Joshua Weissman who died from injuries he sustained while responding to a vehicle fire on Interstate 395 on February 8, 2012. The Department will also remember Paramedic Weissman.

Ivy Hill Cemetery will be hosting the memorial service. Fire apparatus parked on each side of the cemetery’s entrance will provide the framework for the entrance to the ceremony. Just outside of Old Town, Ivy Hill’s park-like setting offers a quiet place to reflect on the sacrifices made by firefighters throughout the history of the City of Alexandria.

The media are invited to attend, as are the public. Many uniformed members of the Alexandria Fire Department and Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department will be present.

For more information, contact Chief Fire Marshal Robert Rodriguez, Public Information Officer, at 703.746.5217 or robert.rodriguez@alexandriava.gov