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#LifeInMVT Photo of the Week: DC Firefighters Memorial Helmet Project

Thursday June 27, 2024

Two DC firefighters prepare to install one of 102 memorial helmets on a streetlight located at 5th & L Streets NW yesterday, June 26. The DC Firefighters Memorial Helmet Project is a joint effort among the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, the DC Fire & EMS Foundation, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 36, Pepco, and the District Department of Transportation. The project will hang gray, weather resistant, “retired” memorial helmets and plaques across the city (search “LODD Locations”) to honor each of the 102 firefighters who lost their lives serving the District since 1856 at the location where their lives were lost.

The helmet placed at 5th & L Streets NW is in memory of Private Maurice T. Turner who lost his life June 25, 1971 when a wall collapsed during a four-alarm blaze in a condemned warehouse at 472 L Street NW. You can read more about Private Turner and the DC Firefighters Memorial Helmet Project on the DC Fire & EMS Foundation’s website. And be sure to look up at the streetlight next time you are walking by 5th & L Streets NW to remember Private Turner and his service.