Calgary firefighters add two names to list of fallen

Calgary has lost 47 firefighters in the line of duty, nine during active firefighting and 38 due to illnesses related to firefighting. To honour our city’s fallen firefighters, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, members of City Council, the Calgary Fire Fighters Association (Local 255) and citizens joined the Calgary Fire Department and families of the fallen in remembering the Calgary firefighters who have given their lives in service to their community.

“We honour those that are no longer with us and we take comfort in knowing they live on in the hearts of the families who supported them and the firefighters who worked alongside them,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

Sadly, the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard displayed two more plaques on the three-story monument called Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light located at the Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza: District Chief James Brosh and Captain Paul Baker, who both died from occupational cancer.

“Firefighters serve the community in many ways, everything from attending motor vehicle accidents, spills, critical medical interventions, and, of course, fires,” said Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth. “We know we can never repay their sacrifice but by reading the names of those who have fallen aloud today we can honour their commitment and dedication in making our city a better place to live.”

Today’s memorial also recognized those who continue to serve the community. “We should also remember the women and men who are out there on the front line at this very moment protecting our city and communities,” added Chief Dongworth.

In recognition of the memorial service, fire stations across The City of Calgary have lowered their flags to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.

For more information on the Calgary Fire Department and our fallen firefighters, please visit calgary.ca/fire.