Calgary Fire Dept Remembers Fallen Firefighters

On September 8, 2010, the Calgary Fire Department, The City of Calgary and event attendees honoured fallen firefighters at the annual memorial service held near Tribute Plaza at the Walls of Memory in front of City Hall. The formal service brought together the public, members of protective services and the families and loved ones of the 26 Calgary firefighters who have lost their lives.

“It is the memory of those that have lost their lives as a result of firefighting that continues to remind those in the service, as well as those we provide service to, about the dangers that firefighters face,” said Fire Chief Bruce Burrell. “We have learned so much from the past and continue to make strides in ensuring the safety of the men and women of the Calgary Fire Department who risk their lives to save others.”

Burrell and other City staff, including the mayor and several aldermen, paid their respects alongside family, friends and the larger protective services family during the solemn occasion.

An honour guard, a bagpipe parade and a wreath laying ceremony were part of the event. These lives were also celebrated through a singing of the national anthem, a ringing of a ceremonial bell and the reading of several prayers and speeches.

This event happens every year and every year new names are added because of the harmful and lasting effects of toxins which firefighters and other emergency personnel are exposed to throughout their careers.