At 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, the Elgin Fire Department will host the Firefighter Memorial Service at Fire Barn #5 Museum / George Van De Voorde Park, 533 St. Charles St.

The keynote speaker for this years’ service will be Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis.

The memorial is held each year to remember those who have served area communities and passed away in the previous year as well as to honor Illinois firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the previous year.

Area fire departments participating in the event include Algonquin/Lake in the Hills, Bartlett, Batavia, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Fox River, Geneva, Hampshire, Hanover Part, Hoffman Estates, Pingree Grove, Rutland Dundee, St. Charles, South Elgin, Streamwood, and West Dundee.

Refreshments will be served after the service and the Fire Museum will be open to the public. All are welcome to attend and the event will be held rain or shine. Parking will be available at Garfield School, 420 May St.

Immediately following the ceremony, the Elgin Fire Department, in conjunction with Elgin Fire Barn #5 Museum, will unveil the plans for a new firefighter memorial plaza to be erected on the museum grounds.

The funding of the plaza will be obtained through a fundraising campaign which will begin in the coming weeks.

SOURCE: Elgin Fire Department news release