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.
Pierce County Blood Program Credited with Saving Young Logger’s Life
On October 10, 2025, 19-year-old Will Mykland and his family reunited with the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, South Pierce Fire & Rescue, and Airlift Northwest crews who saved his life following a devastating logging accident in August.
On August 15, 2025, Will was struck by a falling tree while working in the woods. Despite his severe injuries, he managed to crawl to safety before his partner and first responders reached him. Firefighters from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue quickly assessed his condition, called for an airlift, and began advanced treatment in the field. In the medic unit, Will received a whole blood transfusion, a lifesaving intervention that, according to Airlift Northwest and the Tacoma General trauma team, made the difference between life and death.
“I was blown away when I learned the blood transfusion kept me alive,” Will said. “It made me realize how important it is for people to donate blood.”
Launched in January 2025, the Pierce County Blood Program equips fire department units with blood, allowing medical services officers to deliver hospital-level care before patients ever arrive at the emergency department. Since its launch, the program has provided more than 70 transfusions, with over half of those going to trauma patients like Will. Research shows that starting wholeblood within 34 minutes of injury increases survivability by 50%.
“This program is saving lives today,” said Medical Services Officer, Lieutenant Brett Martinson. “Stories like Will’s show exactly why we carry whole blood in the field, and why it is so important for our community.”
The program is a partnership between Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Tacoma Fire Department, Bloodworks Northwest, MultiCare, and the MultiCare Health Foundation.
How you can help. Every unit of blood used in the field begins with a community donor. Will is alive today because blood was available when he needed it most. You can help save lives by donating blood through Bloodworks Northwest. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit www.bloodworksnw.org
Life-Saving Whole Blood Program Launches in Pierce County: First Responders Now Equipped to Provide Immediate Blood Transfusions
On January 24th, 2025, Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (CPFR) partnered with Tacoma Fire Department (TFD), MultiCare, MultiCare Health Foundation, and Bloodworks Northwest to launch a whole blood program in Pierce County.
CPFR and TFD are the first in the County to implement this life-saving initiative, joining roughly 180 fire departments nationwide. This program enables Medical Service Officers (MSOs) to carry whole blood in temperature-controlled coolers, allowing immediate transfusions at emergency scenes —before patients reach the hospital. MSOs are highly trained paramedics specializing in critical care, providing both emergency response and clinical oversight.
Rapid intervention is crucial in trauma cases, where severe blood loss is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Trauma is the #1 cause of death for individuals under 45, and studies show that up to 40% of these fatalities could be prevented with immediate blood transfusions in the field.
Dr. Keith Gates with TFD emphasizes the programs impact, “bleeding remains the leading cause of preventable death among trauma victims, with nearly half dying before reaching a hospital. Prehospital blood resuscitation is a vital intervention not only for trauma patients but also for individuals suffering from severe hemorrhage due to medical conditions such as postpartum hemorrhage and abdominal bleeding. Administering blood within 13 minutes of EMS arrival can increase survival rates by six-fold, reinforcing the need for rapid access to life-saving blood products.”
Whole blood transfusions reduce complications compared to using separate blood components. Research shows they are most effective when given within the first hour of injury, with the highest survival benefit occurring within the first 13 minutes of EMS arrival.
Blood for this program is collected and processed through Bloodworks Northwest, following strict safety protocols. Type O blood—universally compatible—is used to ensure immediate treatment, even before a patient’s blood type is known. Special coolers maintain the blood at the correct temperature, ensuring it is ready when needed.
Funding for the program’s specialized equipment comes from the MultiCare Health Foundation, while operational costs are covered by existing fire department budgets.
“This initiative marks a historic moment in prehospital care,” says CPFR EMS Lieutenant Brett Martinson. “The impact of Low-Titer O-Whole Blood (LTOWB) in treating hemorrhagic shock is comparable to the introduction of defibrillators in the 1970s, which revolutionized cardiac arrest survival rates. This will become the standard of care for patients experiencing severe blood loss.”
Since launching, CPFR and TFD have already administered whole blood transfusions in the field 60 times, demonstrating the program’s immediate effectiveness.
How You Can Help: Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your blood donation could save a life right here in our community. Support this program by donating at our upcoming event. Visit www.bloodworksnw.org to find a blood drive near you.
Together, we can ensure lifesaving blood is available when it’s needed most.