For the fifth year, Vernon’s historic Fox Hill Tower at Henry Park will be bathed in red light this evening (May 2) to mark Light the Night, which honors firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
The tower will be bathed in red from dusk until 10 p.m.
Vernon fire stations will be illuminated in red too, Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said.
Parks and Recreation crews will illuminate Fox Hill Tower, which will be visible from downtown Rockville, the park and other locations.
“Thankfully, we have not lost a firefighter in the line of duty here in Vernon, but we do honor those from other communities who have been lost,” Mayor Champagne said. “We also recognize the commitment and dedication of our volunteers and their selfless work to keep our community safe.”
Town Administrator and Emergency and Risk Management Director Michael Purcaro said that every time a firefighter answers a call, they place their life on the line.
“Even seemingly routine calls carry risk,” Purcaro said. “Despite that, our volunteer firefighters can always be counted on to be there when we need them. The public’s health and safety is our No. 1 priority.”
Fire Chief Stephen Eppler said firefighters drill and train weekly and are prepared for just about anything. “The safety of our community and volunteers is always at the forefront,” Eppler said. “Eighty firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023. We don’t dwell on the danger, but it is the reason we work hard to make sure our firefighters are well-trained.”