JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will illuminate several city landmarks in red from April 26 through May 3 as part of a national tribute honoring firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Locations participating in the tribute include JFRD headquarters, the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, Station 1, Station 19 and Station 60. The effort is part of the nationwide “Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters” campaign led by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
This year’s observance holds special significance locally as two Jacksonville firefighters — Engineer Jason C. Woodruff and Engineer Ian M. Church — will be formally added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during National Memorial Weekend on May 3. They are among 204 firefighters nationwide who died in the line of duty in 2025.
“Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters is a powerful way to pay tribute to the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice for our city,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “We will be forever grateful for Engineer Woodruff and Engineer Church, who gave their lives in service to our community.”
Additional Jacksonville landmarks will also be lit in red, including Baptist Medical Center Weaver Tower, Daily’s Place, Friendship Fountain, HCA Memorial Jacksonville, HCA Memorial Orange Park, UF Health Jacksonville and the VyStar Forsyth location.
Fire Chief Percy Golden II said the tribute is both a remembrance and a call for community participation.
“We are lighting our headquarters, our Fallen Firefighter Memorial and our stations in honor of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, with special recognition this year for Engineer Woodruff and Engineer Church,” Golden said.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate by displaying red lights, sharing photos using #NFFFLightTheNight2026 or submitting images to the foundation. Participation can also be registered through the NFFF.
On May 3, American flags at federal buildings, including the White House and the United States Capitol, will be lowered in honor of fallen firefighters.
Officials say the red lights serve as a visible reminder that those who gave their lives in service are not forgotten.