Lutherville Firefighter, Husband And Father Killed While Saving Lives Honored At Ceremony
EMMITSBURG, Md. (WJZ)-- A day of remembrance. Firefighters killed in service were honored Sunday in Emmitsburg, including a fallen hero from Baltimore.
Jessica Kartalija reports.
Bells ring across the country in memory of 80 firefighters who died during service in 2011. Among them was a 43-year-old husband and father.
"Maryland. Mark G. Falkenhan, Baltimore County Fire Department, Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company," the announcer read out.
"On a cold January night last year, Mark lost his life saving others lives in a four-alarm fire. He left behind his wife of 18 years, Gladys, and two sons, Christian and Garrett," Chuch Burkell of the National Fire Academy, U.S. Fire Administration said.
Responding to what began as a stove fire at a Hillendale apartment complex, radio communication was limited. Falkenhan became trapped on the third floor of the building.
"Mark dedicated his life to the fire service. He joined the Middle River Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Company right out of high school and worked as an emergency medical technician with the Baltimore County Fire Department while serving as a volunteer firefighter," Burkell said.
Falkenhan was a career firefighter in Baltimore County for 16 years before taking a job with the Secret Service in 2006.
A bronze plaque with Falkenhan's name and the names of the men and women honored at the 31st National Fallen Firefighters Memorial will be added to the Fire Academy campus.
Falkenhan was the first Baltimore County firefighter to die during service in 25 years.
