A new firefighter memorial to be built in Phoenix will honor the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots that were killed in 2013 and the 86 other firefighters and paramedics that have been killed in the line of duty in Arizona.
Open space will be integral to the site on the eastern edge of Wesley Bolin Plaza, allowing families, individuals and groups to have a quiet moment, to sit and remember and to learn about these heroes.
The projected $1 million cost for the Arizona Fallen Firefighter Memorial will include design, communications, website, research and informational development, grounds preparation, electrical, sidewalks, benches, the Living Tree Memorial, Wall of Honor, 11 Bronzes, obelisk and perpetual flame, installation, and a trust fund for perpetual maintenance. Half the cost will go toward the bronze statues with a large portion set aside for perpetual care.
Donations are being accepted now.
There will be three distinct sets of bronzes:
- Four will represent professional firefighters in an action scenario;
- Two will represent paramedics in action; and
- Three will represent wildland firefighters
The photos below are portions of rough drafts of possible designs for the wildland firefighter bronzes, as seen on the Arizona Firefighter Memorial website. Professional artists and sculptors will render the final look and feel of the memorial bronzes and wall of honor.
Each of the three bronzes should have a female represented in the group, especially the wildland scene. C’mon man!
Yep.
These sculptures always have a mix of details that don’t match. Like the “fresh out of the box” pair of whites boots, with all the lugs left on the sole, but no crazy lacing or the false tongue included. Also, the chaps don’t have the kevlar fibers spilling out of a rip created by a “near miss”. The guy with a shovel does not have the orange edge guard haphazardly strapped to his pack. There is no file sans handle spilling out of his pack.
Come to think of it, I ought to remake myself as a sculptural consultant to get the details right.
Should be a female wildland firefighter represented amongst the three.