(Washington,DC) Fire/EMS Chief Dennis L. Rubin joined the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation "Whistle Stop Tour" Monday. The Tour visited the National Mall as part of an effort to promote firefighter safety.

“We are honored to have the Whistle Stop Tour stop in the nation’s capital,” said Chief Rubin.  “And we are emphatic about spreading this safety message across the country–and what better place to do it than in the shadow of the US Capitol?”

The spouses of two fallen firefighters, Ms. Helen King and Mrs. Athena Shwantez , received US flags that had flown over the US Capitol. The tour's central message is " Everyone Goes Home, "so King and Shwantez spoke about the need for improved safety measures, training and physcial fitness programs to keep firefighters healthy and alive.

The Foundation's Chairman, Hal Bruno, Executive Director Ronald Siarnicki, and Board Members Seth Statler and Bill Webb were also on hand.

On average, two American firefighters die in the line of duty each week. Many of these fatalities are preventable. The Foundation's goal is to reduce line-of-duty deaths by 25 percent within five years.