International Firefighters Day: Who was Saint Florian and why is 2020 so important?

There have been 27 firefighter fatalities in US so far this year

Firefighters risk their lives daily to save others and serve their communities, often running towards danger while others run away, flying in the face of their own human instincts in the name of duty.

As the coronavirus pandemic dominates headlines worldwide, it can be easy to forget that firefighters are still working day in day out across the US and worldwide to help families and save lives.

International Firefighters Day (IFFD) is commemorated every year on 4 May, put aside to take a step back and recognise the efforts of firefighters both now and in the past.

What is International Firefighters Day?

IFFD is commemorated annually on 4 May to remember the firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and those who continue to work to help keep communities safe.

The day was initiated after the death of five firefighters in a 1998 bushfire in Victoria, Australia. The five men were on a rescue mission against a large bushfire when a change of wind engulfed the firefighters and their truck causing all five to die in the blaze.

Now, each year firefighters and civilians alike take the day to remember those who have risked and lost their lives in the name of protecting others.

Who is Saint Florian?

Saint Florian is the patron saint of firefighters, and an important symbol of IFFD.

Legend states that St Florian, said to be first commanding firefighters of an actual battalion, saved an entire village from a huge fire with only one bucket of water.

The saint is central to IFFD because he is the reason why 4 May is the specific date chosen to commemorate firefighters.

The date was originally used to globally recognise and honour the saint, leading to its choice as the day for the modern commemoration of firefighters alongside the original legend.

St Florian is said to have lost his life protecting the same humane ideas which firefighters all over the world share even today.

Why is it so important we commemorate firefighters this year?

This year it is important to remember tragic casualties suffered by firefighters in the Australian brushfires that broke out at the end of last year.

The blaze lasted long into the new year and brought historic destruction and death to the communities around them.

At least eight firefighters died fighting in an international effort to stem the blazes in Australia, which were considered to be the countries most destructive bushfire season in a generation.

More than 100 American firefighters went to assist the bushfires and two firefighters and a flight engineer were reported to have been killed in their line of duty.

Aside from the tragedies in Australia, this year alone in the US 27 firefighters have died in the United States in total, according to data from The US Fire Administration.

IFFD is a day to remember their sacrifice and the continued sacrifice of all those who work to fight blazes and save lives today.