Department Members to Attend Maryland Ceremony on May 3
CONCORD — Fire Capt. William “Bill” Noke will be honored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and more than 12 active and retired members from Concord Fire will be in attendance.
Capt. Noke will be recognized during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, held on May 1-3 at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Fourteen members of Capt. Noke’s family, including his wife Rebecca, also will attend the national tribute.
Capt. Noke will be formally honored by having his name added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, alongside 203 other fallen firefighters from across the country.
Events honoring the firefighters include a candlelight vigil on Saturday, May 2, and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, May 3. Both events are open to the public and serve as a time for remembrance, reflection, and recognition of fallen firefighters and their families.
Members of the Concord Fire Department will participate in various components of the weekend, including taking part in uniformed support sessions and honoring Capt. Noke through participation in the ceremony.
Capt. Noke retired from the Concord Fire Department in January 2021, after a distinguished career of service. He was often heard saying, “If you love your job, you never work a day in your life,” which encapsulated how he felt about serving the community.
Capt. Noke joined the Concord Fire Department in 1986 as a call firefighter, while also working per-diem shifts with the Boxborough Fire Department. In 1989, he became a full-time firefighter in Concord, rising to Lieutenant in 2002 and Captain in 2011.
He was a member of the Massachusetts District 3 Hazardous Material Response Team. He was also a certified Wildland Firefighter. He worked part-time shifts with Patriot Ambulance, remaining an EMT and dispatcher throughout his career. In 2023, he was voted EMT of the Year by his Patriot colleagues.
On his last shift, Capt. Noke shared, “Remember to look out for one another,” a mission the department remembers daily.
After his retirement, Capt. Noke was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He passed away on Oct. 28, 2023.
“Capt. Noke dedicated his life to serving others and protecting the Concord community,” says Chief Brian Whitney. “We are proud to stand with his family as he receives this national recognition. His legacy of service and dedication will not be forgotten.”
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosts the annual Memorial Weekend to honor firefighters who have died in the line of duty or from service-related causes, ensuring their sacrifice is remembered.
For more information about the Memorial Weekend, visit the website here.
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