October 7, 2002

On September 11th, Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Fire Department dedicated the Fallen Firefighter/Paramedic Memorial Park to honor department members who died in the line of duty. The 3 1/2 acre park pays tribute to firefighters and paramedics whose deaths date back to1957, when the city had a volunteer fire department.

The highlight of the park is the landscaped memorial plaza made of hand-laid stones on which the names of all 573 deceased members are etched. The park also features a bronze bell and sculpture of a pair of fire boots and helmet created by sculptor and firefighter/Paramedic John Alaniz.

The Memorial park was inspired by the Gold Badge Society members, wives, mothers and children of the men killed in the line of duty. Gold Badge Society President Mary Rose McNamee said, "I can think of no better way to commemorate this fateful day than to take time to remember a place that honors our own, and will stand as a testament to their unwavering courage and dignity for many years to come." Almost all of the park's landscaping was completed by off-duty firefighters, paramedics, relatives and friends of department members.