SYRACUSE -- Syracuse firefighters who have died in the line of duty were remembered in an annual ceremony Wednesday morning.

Today is the 71st anniversary of the Collins Block Fire, which killed nine city firefighters on February 3, 1939. A memorial service was held at Firefighters Memorial Park, where Syracuse’s fire chief and mayor laid a wreath in memory of those who have died in service to the city.

In addition, the name of every Syracuse firefighter who has died in the line of duty was read aloud.

“It's a dangerous job, no matter how hard we try, we cannot eliminate the risks of fighting fires. But with the right equipment, the right people, the right tools, we're able to do it on a daily basis and do it very well,” said Chief Mark McLees.

45 Syracuse firefighters have died in the line of duty over the long history of the department.

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