2009 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial
The 2009 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2009. 
The mission of the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, which is located in the shadow of Pike’s Peak, is to honor the sacrifice made by IAFF members who serve as professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Since its creation in 1976 through June 2008, the names of 2,152 fallen IAFF members have been engraved into the wall of honor located behind the memorial.
The IAFF will ensure that the ceremony remains an uplifting one for the families, friends and loved ones, and that it celebrates the lives, heroism and accomplishments of our union’s bravest of the brave.
 
GENERAL INFORMATIONThere is no charge for these events, however, we ask that family and IAFF members please wear their name badges that were provided at the Registration Area. The motorcycle/fire apparatus procession will take place in two sections. The first section is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Wind & Fire Motorcycle Club and is known as “The Ride To Remember”. Motorcyclists and fire department apparatus will leave the Colorado Fallen Fire Fighter Monument in Lakewood, Colorado on Saturday at 8:00 am. “The Ride To Remember” will proceed to the staging area located at The Promenade Shops at Briargate in Colorado Springs.

The second section of the procession is sponsored by the IAFF and Colorado Springs Local 5 and is known as “the Ride Of Honor”. It will depart at 12:00 noon from The Promenade Shops at Briargate and proceed to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial signifying the commencement of the ceremony. Additional Information on the procession and fire department apparatus registration can be obtained by visiting www.iafflocal5.com.

All motorcycle riders and passengers participating in any portion of the day's rides must pre-register for insurance purposes. Registration can be completed by visiting www.ridetoremember.org. All fire fighter motorcyclists and fire departments are encouraged to participate in both sections of the procession! Sorry, the procession is not open to the public. Invitation letters and registration instructions will be emailed/mailed to Colorado fire departments.

*Any fire fighter motorcyclists/fire departments in the Southern Colorado area who plan to participate in “The Ride To Remember” are encouraged to gather at Colorado Springs Fire Station 19 located at 2490 Research Parkway. The group will meet at 5:00 am and depart for Lakewood by 5:15 am.
All IAFF members attending are encouraged to wear their uniforms (preferably Class A (dress) uniforms), register and make hotel reservations as soon as possible.
IAFF Reception and Breakfast
On Friday evening, the IAFF will host a reception (business casual), beginning at 6:00 pm in the Colorado Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  On Saturday morning, beginning at 8:00 am, the IAFF will host a breakfast buffet in the Colorado Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  All family members and registered IAFF members are invited to attend. If you have not done so already, Family Members and IAFF affiliates (including Honor Guard and Pipe Band members) are asked to register online by clicking at REGISTRATION.

Family Greeting and Hotel Transportation
Beginning Wednesday, the IAFF and IAFF Members from Local 5-Colorado Springs Fire Fighters, will be staffing a Family Greeting and Hotel Transportation Center at the Colorado Springs Airport. They will assist in directing you to our hotel shuttles.   They will also provide any needed assistance and answer any of your questions.  The Family Greeting and Transportation Center will be located outside the secure area on the baggage claim level.  It will be open until 11:00 pm each evening.

FFFM Information and Transportation Center
The FFFM Information and Transportation Center will be located in the Main Lobby at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The IAFF and members from Local 5-Colorado Springs Fire Fighters, will assist in any of your transportation needs, including shuttles to the Memorial site, restaurant transportation and return to airport shuttles. They will also provide any needed assistance and answer any of your questions. The FFFM Information and Transportation Center will be open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, Wednesday through Saturday, and from 4:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday. On Saturday, shuttles to the Memorial site will begin at 11:30 am at 20-minute intervals; shuttles back to the hotel will begin at the conclusion of the Memorial Service.

IAFF FFFM Office
The IAFF FFFM Office will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Wednesday to Sunday, except as otherwise specified on the agenda below.  IAFF staff will assist you with registration and answer any questions regarding Memorial activities.

FFFM Registration
Registration for all Family Members and IAFF Members will begin on Wednesday at 12:00 noon. All families and IAFF members are asked to register online by clicking at REGISTRATION. At registration, each of the family members will be provided with credentials as well as a welcoming gift and information packet.

Family Room
The Family Room is available to any family member who wishes to visit other family members who have suffered a line-of-duty death. The Family Room will be located in Room 1523 and will be open from Thursday through Saturday.

IAFF Honor Guard and Pipe Band
There will be an Honor Guard and Pipe Band meeting on Thursday at 4:00 pm in the Crowne Plaza Hotel's Summit Ballroom. The meeting is to provide details regarding the events leading to the Memorial Service. It will provide an opportunity to address Honor Guard and Pipe Band participation at the Service, including the presentation of the IAFF Flag. On Friday, Honor Guard and Pipe Band practice will begin at 9:00 am at the Memorial Site. Honor Guard and Pipe Band shuttles will begin departing for the site at 8:00 am. On Saturday, Honor Guard and Pipe Band practice will begin at 9:00 am at the Memorial Site. Honor Guard and Pipe Band shuttles will begin departing for the site at 8:00 am. All meetings and practice sessions require mandatory attendance by ALL members of the Honor Guard and Pipe Band.

Family and Escort Meeting
On Friday at 4:30 pm in the Crowne Plaza Hotel's Summit Ballroom there will be a Family and Escort Meeting. Each family member and IAFF Local affiliate is requested to send a representative to this meeting (of course all family members are invited). This meeting is to provide the family and their IAFF Local representative with specific information about the Memorial Service, including the details regarding the individual presentation of the IAFF Flag. There will be a reading of all names provided to ensure correct pronunciation and an opportunity to ask any questions.
IAFF – FFFM Gift Shop
The IAFF’s FFFM Gift Shop will be open beginning at 9:00 am on Thursday morning. It will remain open through Sunday as listed on the Agenda below.  The Gift Shop provides an assortment of Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial clothing and gift items as well as a number of IAFF items. Staff will also demonstrate and assist in the use of the IAFF On-Line Store.