Firefighter who died on duty to be memorialized at national ceremony

Rural/Metro Fire Department Capt. David Irr will be among those memorialized at the 30th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service next month.

The national service Oct. 16 in Emmitsburg, Md., at the National Fire Academy will be sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security.

Irr, 49, served for more than 24 years with the Rural/Metro Fire Department before he died in his sleep on May 23, 2010, at Station 2. He is one of two Arizona firefighters and 72 nationwide who died in the line of duty in 2010.

Irr's daughter, Kayla, a dispatcher at Rural/Metro, said her father is the reason she has decided to become a firefighter.

“He has inspired me to follow in his footsteps because I saw how much he loved helping people. Growing up in the department, I realized being a firefighter for Rural/Metro doesn't mean you have co-workers, but you have a really big family. Everyone looks out for one another.”

Melissa Velasquez, also a dispatcher at Rural/Metro, said she remembers that Irr would always treat those around him with compassion and respect. “There is a hole that can never be filled in the EMS community.”

James Mallon, Rural/Metro firefighter and EMT, said, “We definitely miss him and do what we can to honor his memory every shift.”

Charly McMurdie, Rural/Metro public information officer, said it is nice that Irr is being recognized at a national level.

“It is an honor to all of the firefighters in Arizona as well as the nation to know that these friends, family members, co-workers, loved ones ... are being recognized,” she said. “We remember them every day and now the nation will remember them, too. Maybe not by name or face, but as a fellow firefighter, paramedic, EMT or captain ... who loved the job as much as the rest of us.”

About 5,000 people are expected to attend the event, including members of Congress, administration officials and other dignitaries, members of the fire service, and families and friends of the fallen firefighters.

Families will receive flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and the National Memorial. Members of the fire service, honor guard units, and pipe and drum units from across the U.S. will participate in this national tribute.

Visit Weekend.FireHero.org for more information about the national ceremony.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858.