It was an early Friday morning call for the Syracuse Fire Department — 80 years ago.

At 2 a.m., crews were dispatched to the Collins Block building.

Two hours later, as crews were cleaning up and preparing to leave, the building’s roof collapsed.

Eight firefighters lost their lives, with a ninth dying days later from a heart attack.

To this day, it remains the deadliest day in history for the Syracuse Fire Department.

The department’s members gather on the anniversary every year alongside the families of lost firefighters to remember them.

"Don’t ever forget those who are no longer among us, and the list is long,” says Local Firefighters Association President Paul Motondo. “I promise that all of you gathered here today, it’s our hopes, our prayers and our efforts on a daily basis not to add to that list.”

"What these actions by our firefighters do say, to everyone in our city, very loud and very clear, is that ‘I'm it. I'm the one today who will lay my life on the line to save the life of someone I probably never met before,’” says Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds.

The Syracuse Fire Department also used the ceremony to remember all of the firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty.

"The facts are, that about 146 times every day our Syracuse firefighters leave their home and say goodbye to their families, which I must say, due to the hazards and dangers of our profession, could be their last goodbye,” Monds said.

Surrounded by loved ones, the ceremony also honored what they go through.

“To the friends and families of our fallen heroes, this memorial service is also a tribute and testament to you. Your names do not appear on our plaque, but I salute your courage,” Monds said.