By Wayne Price

    The Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center is dedicated to the courageous firefighters of Nebraska. It is located just off I-80 exits at Kearney, next to the Great Platte River Road Archway.
    According to Jennifer Slater, museum director, the museum honors the history and heritage of Nebraska's fire service and educates people on fire prevention and fire safety through images, artifacts and interactive exhibits.
    The museum opened in 2009 and features a variety of exhibits. These are changed each October.
    The Nebraska Firefighters & EMS Memorial was added to the campus in October 2010. The red granite line of duty death memorial tablets provide a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by many Nebraska firefighters and emergency rescue personnel. The black granite commemorative caps pay tribute to those of the past and of the present who have given or who are still giving so much to their community.
    “The Memorial honors those that have put commitment into protecting their communities,” Slater noted. “Those that served or are still serving are represented on the black granite, or bricks lining the path to the Memorial.”
    The museum holds an annual Memorial service for all members who have passed on and for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Those who paid the highest price are memorialized on the red granite tablets at the North end of the Memorial.
    The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for Seniors and $3 for Youth (6-17). Children under five are free.