Attorney General Rob Bonta Joins Fallen Firefighter Families, Uniformed Firefighters, and Dignitaries to Honor Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Sacramento, CA -October, 2026 -the California Fire Foundation hosted its Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony and Recessional at Capitol Park in Sacramento, commemorating California Firefighters Memorial Day and honoring the brave firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to communities across the state —from Greater Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco, greater Sacramento, Monterey, and Fresno. The event takes place during October Firefighter Appreciation Month, a statewide initiative recognizing more than 38,000 firefighters who protect California.
Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke at the ceremony and joined more than 800 guests, including the families of fallen firefighters, hundreds of uniformed firefighters, and other dignitaries. The event recognized 37 firefighters whose names were newly inscribed on the expanded California Firefighters Memorial Wall, joining 1,593 others honored since California became a state in 1850.
The Foundation has seen a 45% increase in PTSI-related deaths among firefighters represented among its honorees since 2025, underscoring the profound risks faced by the fire service. Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in the fire service, according to California Professional Firefighters.
The ceremony marked the advance of Phase 2 of the California Firefighters Memorial Wall Expansion Project, which is expected to conclude in 2027. This expansion will allow for the addition of names of the fallen for the next 100 years, while accommodating present and future tributes and enhancing the Memorial’s functionality as a ceremonial gathering space.
Following the indoor ceremony at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center, the public observed the Memorial Recessional through Sacramento’s historic Capitol Park. The outdoor procession featured hundreds of uniformed firefighters forming a “sea of blue,” firefighting apparatus, Pipes and Drums of California Professional Firefighters, honor guards from across the state, and families of the fallen.
Featured speakers and participants included:
· Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California
- Darrell Roberts, Chair, California Fire Foundation, President, California Professional Firefighters (Chula Vista Fire Department, Active)
- Daniel A. Terry, President-Emeritus, California Professional Firefighters
- Mike Lopez, Secretary-Treasurer, California Fire Foundation (CAL FIRE, Retired)
- Kevin Snider, Senior Fire Chaplain, Captain (Retired), Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
- Caylie Valenta, Spouse of 2022 honoree Andy Valenta, Firefighter-Paramedic, Vista Fire Department
- Dr. Beverly Wesner-Hoehn, Harpist
The Memorial Ceremony was livestreamed on the Foundation’s Facebook and YouTube pages @CAFireFound. Learn more at CAFireFoundation.org.
How to Get Involved: October Firefighter Appreciation Month
ü Work With Us: Businesses and individuals are encouraged to host a fundraiser with the proceeds benefiting the California Fire Foundation.
ü Thank a Firefighter: Show appreciation on social media using hashtags #thankafirefighter, #FFAppreciationMonth, and #CAFireFoundation.
ü Donate: Make a tax-deductible donation to help fire victims, commemorate fallen heroes, and more at CAFireFoundation.org.
About the California Fire Foundation
The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the Foundation’s mission includes survivor and victim assistance programs, as well as various community initiatives. The Foundation’s programs include the SAVE CARD (Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency), which provides $250 cash cards to fire victims for immediate necessities, the relaunched Firefighters on Your Side community preparedness PSA program, and the annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento.
