Status of the Seattle Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial project...

On the evening of January 5, 1995, four members of the Seattle Fire Department lost their lives fighting an arson fire in the International District. The enormity of this tragedy led a public spirited Seattleite to propose the creation of a memorial to the fallen fire fighters and, in addition, to offer a significant financial contribution toward its establishment. A short time later, the idea was expanded to create a permanent memorial paying tribute to all thirty one members of the Seattle Fire Department who died in the line of duty since the department was founded. The community response to the proposal has been overwhelmingly positive and continues to grow.

A group of business and community leaders -- along with the Mayor, Fire Chief, firefighters, and members of the City Council -- have worked quietly for more than two years toward the establishment of the memorial. This has been a productive effort and a great deal has been accomplished, including significant progress on the full size clay models.

The only step which remains to make the memorial a reality is completion of the fund raising. In addition to money required to cover construction and siting costs, a small amount must be set aside for future maintenance of the sculpture. The total fund raising goal is $225,000.

Inasmuch as the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is envisioned as a tribute from the citizens of Seattle to those who have given their lives in the line of duty, the fund raising effort is designed to obtain broad community participation. Thus, instead of the memorial being financed by contributions from a few large corporations or private individuals, an effort is being made to obtain donations from a broad spectrum of the Seattle community. In keeping with this spirit, we are requesting a one time contribution as you deem appropriate.

The Memorial design is by the University of Washington School of Arts, working with a team of firefighters. It will be a life-sized bronze sculpture depicting two teams of firefighters battling a blazing fire. Slabs and monoliths of granite embedded with the names of the thirty-one fallen firefighters serve to accent the figures. Hai Ying Wu, an internationally recognized artist from the University, designed the work and is sculpting the figures.

Professor Norman Taylor, Chair of the Sculpture Department, has overall responsibility for casting and installation of the Memorial.

The Memorial will be located in the Pioneer Square's Occidental Park, north of Main Street. A formal proposal for the memorial sculpture, and its location, is approved by the Pioneer Square Preservation Board as well as the Seattle Arts Commission and all permit issues resolved.

To provide fiscal oversight for the fund-raising campaign, the Seattle Fallen Fire Fighters' Memorial Fund Board has adopted a formal budget, established a bank account, as well as implemented a detailed accounting system. Time lines for completion of the memorial have also been established, and a contract is being entered into with the University of Washington to make the bronze sculptures.

Our goal is to have the unveiling and dedication in late spring, 1997!