(FOX40.COM) — The California Fire Foundation kicked off a $12 million fundraising effort this week to expand the California Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park to make sure that all fallen firefighters in the state are properly remembered.
Currently, over 1,500 firefighters’ names are etched on this wall, with 35 additional names added just last year.
In recent years, deaths attributed to health reasons, even if they happen after the person has left the job, are more considered as being linked to working as a firefighter, leading to the need for a larger memorial.
The foundation wants to add memorial space for another 4,600 names, which would provide for additional engravings over the next 150 years. The expansion could take five years to complete.
“It will complete telling the story of being a firefighter and serving communities in California,” said Brian Rice, chair of the foundation.
The expansion’s lead designer, Adan Romo, who is also the son of a late battalion chief, …