Construction is underway on a memorial that will honor firefighters from the eight fire departments serving Ventura County who have died in the line of duty.

The memorial will be on the east lawn of the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura. It is expected to be finished in time for this year's memorial ceremony and unveiling on Sat., Sept. 27.

The memorial is a circular platform surrounding a life-sized statue of a firefighter holding a small child. The names of the 36 fallen firefighters will be inscribed on the edifice.

The project is a joint venture of the Ventura County Fire Chiefs Association, Rotary International, firefighter labor organizations and the eight fire agencies serving the county: Ventura County, Oxnard, Ventura City, Federal Fire, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service.

Funds are still being raised for the construction and ongoing maintenance of the memorial. For more information, visit the website www.ffmemorial.org.