Insights

Turner Breaks Ground on the California Firefighter Memorial Expansion Project

March 21, 2024

The Turner Construction Company and Lionakis Design-Build team along with Designer and Sculptor, Adan Romo of Romo Studios are honored to break ground on the expansion of the California Firefighters Memorial for the California Fire Foundation.
The project involves a meaningful expansion to the existing memorial in Capitol Park which honors more than 1,500 firefighters who have died in the line of duty since California became a state in 1850.

The California Firefighters Memorial was unveiled in 2002 in Capitol Park and is a tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their fellow Californians. To continue to provide this tribute to our fallen firefighters, expansion of the California Firefighters Memorial is necessary. The expansion will include major updates to the landscaping, a reconfiguration of the current design, and the addition of new sculptures.

“Now currently there are 1,527 names on this wall. That’s 1,527 men and women in the California fire service that have lost their lives in the line of duty. That’s 1,527 families who have lost a loved one. With the addition of 35 names last year, we have filled the original wall. As it stands, there is no more room for any more families. But unlike a war memorial, this memorial will never have an end date. This is a living monument. As long as there are men and women serving in the California fire service, there will be men and women added to this wall every year.” - Brian Rice – Chair of CA Fire Foundation & President of CA Professional Firefighters

In 2002, Turner and the California Fire Foundation unveiled the original California Firefighters Memorial. Now, 22 years later, we are breaking ground on the expansion, which will create the capacity for 4,600 more firefighter names over the next 150 years.

Tim Blood, Regional Preconstruction Manager, Turner Construction Company

“The names on this wall and the firefighting community fuel our passion and our commitment. This project is a collaboration that transcends design, concrete, steel, and stone. It embodies a spirit of unity, respect, family, and remembrance. So, as we break ground today, we pledge to continue this work with the reverence that it deserves. We will ensure the memorial remains a place of solace and strength for those who have lost loved ones and a place to honor their courage and sacrifice.” - Tim Blood, Regional Preconstruction Manager, Turner Construction

Each year, a ceremony is held to honor the firefighters who were lost in the line of duty or from a job-related illness. Colleagues, family, friends, and community members gather in Capitol Park to remember those who made the ultimate price to keep us safe. Construction of the memorial expansion will be completed prior to the October 2024 Ceremony.