Firefighter statues pay tribute to the men and women who keep our towns and cities from crumbling into embers. Most parks around the world feature statues of military heroes. There are all types of guidelines followed by the scuptors of these statues. If the person depicted died in battle, his sword goes one way. If he died on horseback, the horse is positioned a particular way.

It is a shame that the same attention has not been paid over the years to firefighters. Firefighters risk their lives in peacetime. Every day, firefighters face deadly situations without a second thought. There ought to be larger-than-life firefighter statues in far greater number than currently stand.

Personal Firefighter Statues

There are hundred of firefighter statues across the country. You just don't necessarily see them. They are in people's homes. Small stutuary saluting America's firefighters has become a way for people to pay triubute to firefighters in a private way. The statues are also sought-after collectibles.

One popular example is "Fallen Heroes," by sculptor Alexander G. Shagin. The piece pays tribute to those who perished in the attacks of September 11th. On one side, the small statue depicts the Statue of Liberty standing in front of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers, which are aflame. The other side shows a firefighter kneeling in beams of sunlight under and image of an angel. The Russian-born sculptor, Alexander Shagin, worked for the Leningrad Mint before coming to the U.S. in 1979. His piece captures some of the anguish experienced around the world that day.