February 3 is a day of pain and praise for the Syracuse Fire Department.

This year marks the 82nd anniversary of the Collins Block Fire.

Department leaders had to change the ceremony because of the pandemic, but they said the tradition must continue.

“These monuments here in Firefighter’s Park are all in honor of the 45 members that we’ve lost in the line of duty in our history, going back to the 1800s,” said Syracuse Deputy Fire Chief John Kane.

Nine of those members were lost in the department’s deadliest fire back in 1939 on Collins Block.

On February 3, the community gathers at the park to pay tribute to them and all of the fallen firefighters. But this year’s service will be virtual. 

Instead of gathering at the park this year, the department will post a pre-recorded ceremony on its Facebook page the morning of February 3. They're asking everyone to watch the video and take a moment to remember these heroes. 

“Before this year, that list was read by a retired Deputy Chief named Tom Laun,” said Kane. “Unfortunately, Tom passed away April of last year. So, we had to have someone else step up and do it for us moving forward. So, between COVID and the loss of Chief Laun, it’s been a tough period for us.”

“It’s our duty for all the active and retired firefighters to remember those fallen heroes and comfort their families on that day,” said Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds.

And every day, whether they’re at Firefighter’s Park or the fire houses.

“There’s one like this [plaque] at every firehouse in Syracuse,” said Kane. “Every one of these names represents somebody who put it all on the line and made the ultimate sacrifice for the city of Syracuse.”

Today’s firefighters are willing to make that same sacrifice.

“I just want everyone to know that they work harder than any occupation that is out there to make sure that we can save people’s lives when they need us the most,” said Monds.

Monds wants the firefighters to know that they didn’t die in vain.

“Although I have never met them, we love them,” said Monds. “They’re always a part of the Syracuse Fire Department family.”