Members of the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department will begin the removal of a historic fire bell from Oakwood Cemetery that has acted as a makeshift memorial for fallen firefighters. The bell will be temporarily moved to Fire Station #3 while firefighters and supporters raise funding for the design and build of a permanent memorial at Station #1. The removal of the bell will begin on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 8:30 a.m., at Oakwood Cemetary, 2420 Oakwood Drive. Brief remarks will be delivered by Mayor Don Walters, Fire Chief Chris Martin, Fire Captain Matthew Kee, and Fire Union President Michael Stanec.
Once the bell is removed, it will be moved to a temporary location for viewing at Cuyahoga Falls Fire Station #3, 1601 Portage Trail. Members of the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department have launched the Cuyahoga Falls Firefighter Memorial Foundation to raise funding to design and build a memorial site that will be permanently located at Cuyahoga Falls Fire Station #1, 1924 Front Street. The bell will be incorporated into the memorial site. The fire bell, rich with tradition, was used for many years to summon the city's volunteer firefighters when a fire broke out. However, with the growth of our city and advances in both technology and the methods in which the department was staffed, the bell eventually became only a component of ceremony; specifically that of the Ringing of the Bell performed at funerals of firefighters.
“Members of our Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department have always served and continue to serve our community with incredible dedication, courage, and bravery, and this memorial will be a place where all can truly reflect upon and honor the service of those who have fallen,” stated Mayor Don Walters. “The removal of the bell is the first significant step in making this project come to fruition, and I could not be prouder of all who are involved.”
Members of the media are invited to attend the removal ceremony. For questions or additional information, please contact Kelli Crawford-Smith at Crawford-Smith@cityofcf.com or 330.971.8140.