Firefighters Respite
Firefighters Respite
- Creator: Mark Baltes
- Date: 2007
- Location: Idaho Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park
- Types: sculpture (visual work)
- Materials: steel (alloy), enamel (fused coating)
- Collection: Site-Based Works
The objective of Firefighters Respite is to provide the public with an opportunity to observe firefighter training exercises while visiting the park. The artist created an interpretive sign adjacent to a sculptural seating (or leaning) area that encourages public viewing of firefighters while in training but safely behind a fence boundary. The sculpture is an interpretation of a fire hose with posts that mimic the hands that hold it. The interpretive panel compares Boise’s early volunteer firefighters with today’s highly trained professional emergency personnel. Historical as well as contemporary photos are incorporated on this sign. Together, the sign and the red, steel fire hose leaning rail provide an opportunity for the Boise Fire Department to engage the public by creating an informal viewing area within close proximity to the proposed Firefighter’s Memorial. This sculpture provides an opportunity to foster increased public awareness of our firefighters, provides simple amenities that invite greenbelt users to stop, and witness state-of-the-art training techniques
