Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Firefighter to Be Added to National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Firefighter, Brian Annis-Levings, will be among 204 firefighters nationwide whose names will be permanently added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during the 45th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, May 2–3, in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Brian, a 20-year member of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, passed away on November 20, 2022, after a courageous battle with squamous cell carcinoma. Brian began his career with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue in 2002, serving as a firefighter/paramedic before promoting to Deputy Fire Marshal. Prior to his fire service, he earned a degree in Business and Communications from Concordia University and worked for a decade at Freightliner.
Brian brought unmatched dedication to everything he did, whether mentoring fellow firefighters, serving his community, or raising his beloved daughters. He loved the outdoors, from mountaineering to fly fishing, and found joy in giving back through coaching Special Olympics track, leading bible classes, teaching youth archery, and participating as post of the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Honor Guard.
He is survived by his wife, Nissa, daughters Jacqueline and Melissa, his mother, siblings, and an extended circle of family and friends who loved him deeply.
The congressionally established National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located on the campus of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, serves as the nation’s official monument honoring firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
Newly honored firefighters are added to the memorial each year during Memorial Weekend. Hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the annual Memorial Weekend brings hundreds of Fire Hero families, fire service leaders, government officials and supporters together for ceremonies of remembrance, reflection and national tribute.
“The loss of these 204 fallen firefighters is felt most deeply by the families and loved ones left behind. They were parents, partners, colleagues and friends who will forever be remembered for their bravery and their devotion to duty,” said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation CEO Victor Stagnaro. “During the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we will add their names to the National Memorial, ensuring they are remembered by a grateful nation.”
This year’s honorees, known as the Roll of Honor, include 97 lost in 2025 and 107 from previous years.
“For 45 years, this weekend has allowed us to collectively pause to reflect and remember those who always answered the call to protect our communities without hesitation,” said Troy Markel, Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors. “As we honor their lives, this moment is also about giving their families and departments our unwavering support. We stand tall beside them with gratitude and respect. Their Fire Hero will never be forgotten.”
Local Remembrance:
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue will participate in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Sound the Sirens event by sounding the sirens on emergency response vehicles for 30-seconds at noon on Sunday, May 3.
This act serves as a sign of honor and respect for fallen firefighters across the country and is rooted in a longstanding fire service tradition of issuing a final tone-out. The final tone-out is a solemn radio call that signifies a firefighter’s last alarm, marking the end of their service and honoring their dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting others.
In addition, American flags at our fire stations will be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, May 3.
National Memorial Ceremonies:
Two public ceremonies on the National Memorial grounds will be live streamed at weekend.firehero.org and on the NFFF’s YouTube and Facebook channels:
- Candlelight Service: Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (ET)
- Memorial Service: Sunday, May 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (ET)
Additionally, photos will be available on the NFFF’s Flickr page shortly after Memorial Weekend.
The public is encouraged to share photos and videos of their participation in the NFFF’s remembrance initiatives via email at [email protected], and to use hashtags #FireHero2026 and #NFFF when posting on social media. Please visit weekend.firehero.org or visit NFFF’s Instagram, Facebook and X for programming updates.
About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) was established by the United States Congress in 1992 to lead a national effort in honoring America’s fallen firefighters. Since then, the Foundation has created powerful programs that pay lasting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while providing meaningful support to their families and colleagues. Through its close partnership with the fire service and its affiliate, the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE), the NFFF is also deeply committed to reducing firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries. To learn how you can support this important mission, visit firehero.org.