The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District will be lighting up Station 102 in red Wednesday, May 4 in observance of International Firefighters’ Day.

In honor of the day celebrated May 4, the district is asking members of the public to take a moment to thank firefighters past and present worldwide and to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their community by sharing International Firefighters’ Day on social media and online.

This day represents a day of thanks for the district’s staff, firefighters and their families.

“It’s an opportunity to remember the firefighters who came before us, and take a moment to appreciate our ‘family’ here at work,” said Katie Heck, district spokesperson. “This is actually our first year lighting up one of our stations, but we hope to expand next year and seek out ways to involve the community more.”

International Firefighters’ Day was created by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and is a day dedicated to thanking firefighters for all they do to keep their communities safe. Born out of the tragic loss of five firefighters in a wildfire in Victoria, Australia, this day honors their lives and sacrifice.

LAFCRD encourages the community to show their support on this day, and throughout the year.

“We are thankful to already receive support from our community here in Lehigh Acres year-round! Specifically to this day, swapping outside white lights with red bulbs and sharing the photo online can share that encouragement with firefighters across the world,” Heck said.

Besides Lehigh Acres, other fire stations and districts (and residents) across Southwest Florida will participate in this years’ “Lighting it up Red.”

Station 102 is at 44 Homestead Rd S.

Additional information on the “Shine Your Light for Firefighters” campaign can be accessed at the NFFF website here: https://www.firehero.org/international-firefighters-day/shine-your-light-for-firefighters/.