CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The Chesapeake Fire Department held a memorial on Wednesday to honor two fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice 30 years ago.
Frank Young and Johnny Hudgins both died on March 18, 1996.
"While fighting an intense fire in a commercial building, both were trapped and killed by a roof collapse," the City of Chesapeake's website reads.
The fire was at an Advance Auto on Indian River Road.
The families of both firefighters attended the memorial on Wednesday. Numerous firefighters who served alongside Young and Hudgins were also in attendance.
"As time goes on, the challenge to never forget will become more difficult. Any member who was in the department for the incident and its aftermath will tell you how difficult it was. The incident became us," Battalion Chief Brian Fancher said during the memorial service. "It is your challenge to keep their memories alive."
Fancher also highlighted the morning of March 18, 1996, and how both firefighters had spent time with their families before heading into the station.
Frank Young's son, Steven, was 18 years old when he lost his father. He said seeing the outpouring of support three decades later has been overwhelming.
"Seeing this today, it's extraordinary to see this — this love that my father is still getting even after his death," Steven Young said.
Young also reflected on the lasting impact his father's sacrifice has had on fire departments across the country.
"My father continues to save lives. His tragedy is saving lives — 30 years of saving lives, better radio systems, better equipment, better apparatus, better communications within the buildings," Young said.
Fire Chief Sam Gulisano, who was in his first year with the department when the fire occurred, said the incident fundamentally changed the culture of the Chesapeake Fire Department — and departments nationwide. Of the department's 491 firefighters, only 13 were on the job in March of 1996.
"We really made two promises — one that we would never forget, and every year we honor those two firefighters that we lost, but we also made a promise to get better and to improve," Gulisano said. "We're not only honoring their lives but we're honoring the fire service and the improvements that we've made in the department — and not only in the Chesapeake Fire Department but in fire departments across the nation because of this incident."
Gulisano said the department has not lost a firefighter in a structure fire since 1996.
A procession followed the same route that Young and Hudgins took that day, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
News 3 Chesapeake reporter Erin Holly attended the 30th anniversary memorial and witnessed the expansive procession of firefighters as they embarked on Young and Hudgins' final route.
Check back with us for updates.
