By Derek Spellman

dspellman@joplinglobe.com

SENECA, Mo. — The Seneca Area Fire Protection District is raising money to send the family and friends of a fallen firefighter to the national memorial later this year.

Tyler Casey, a volunteer firefighter from the district, died while warning people to seek shelter before the May 10, 2008, tornado.

Casey, 21, also was acting as a storm spotter at the time. As the tornado approached, he left his own vehicle to warn a family and urge the people to seek shelter. He is credited with saving the lives of at least three people that day.

Chief Steffen Wiest said Casey will be honored during the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial’s annual ceremony in October. His name, along with those of other firefighters who died in the line of duty last year, will be officially added to the rolls of the memorial in Emmitsburg, Md.

“For all of us, it’s an honor,” Wiest said of Casey’s name being added.

The department is trying to raise $6,000, Wiest said, to send a group of 13 people to Emmitsburg. The group is to be composed of Casey’s family, some friends, and several firefighters.

The department will kick off its fund-raiser today with a barbecue coinciding with Seneca’s July 4 festivities.

This year’s National Fallen Firefighter memorial weekend will be Oct. 3 and 4, according to the memorial Web site.

Survivors of the fallen firefighters will participate in Family Day activities Oct. 3 on the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg, according to the Web site. A candlelight service at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will conclude the event.

On Oct. 4, honor guard units and bagpipers will open the Memorial Service with a procession. The national tribute will conclude with the unveiling of plaques listing the names of the fallen.