Local Fallen Firefighter Chris Blankenship Honored

EMMITSBURG, MD – The 35th Annual National Fallen Firefighters

Memorial Service honored two firefighters who died in the line of duty from

Tennessee. They were among the 79 firefighters who died in 2015 and 33

firefighters who died in previous years who were remembered at the official

national service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland on

Sunday, October 9.

Firefighter Christopher M. Blankenship, age 41, of the Madison County Fire

Department died after he was struck by a falling tree at the scene of an

accident on May 3, 2015. Lieutenant Terrence M. Pryor, age 48, of the

Memphis Fire Department suffered a heart attack and died after he

responded to multiple calls on May 25, 2015.

Their names will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial on

the Academy grounds. The national tribute was sponsored by the National

Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland

Security’s U.S. Fire Administration. Thousands attended the service,

including the family of Firefighter Blankenship, Fire Chief Eric Turner,

members of Congress, Administration officials and other dignitaries.

Families received flags flown over the U. S. Capitol and the National

Memorial. Members of the fire service, honor guard units and pipe and drum

units from across the country also participated in this national tribute.

For a complete list of fallen firefighters being honored and a widget to

display their information on your website, along with Memorial Weekend

related videos, photos, media and broadcast information go to

www.firehero.org.