Four Calgary firefighters added to list of fallen at annual memorial service

In its annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony, the Calgary Fire Department added four names to Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza in front of Calgary’s Municipal Building today.

Since its inception in 1885, Calgary has lost 81 firefighters in the line of duty, nine during active firefighting and 68 due to illnesses related to firefighting.

To honour our city’s fallen firefighters, Mayor Jyoti Gondek, members of City Council, the Calgary Fire Fighters Association (Local 255) and others 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.

Each year, the names of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice are read aloud during the public ceremony. As each name is read, the Memorial Bell is sounded in their honour, followed by the Firefighters’ Invocation and Bell Ceremony.

Sadly, the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard added the names of Captain Allan Borbridge, Fire Marshal Les McMillan, Captain John T. West, and Captain Ron Forrest to the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light monument in the plaza.

All four firefighters died due to cancers acquired through occupational exposure.

“Today, we gather with heavy hearts, along with profound gratitude,” said Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth. “We are here to honour the brave members of the Calgary Fire Department who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others - to acknowledge their courage, their selflessness, and their unwavering commitment to protecting our community.”

Of the 81 firefighter deaths in Calgary, nine are considered “traumatic.” Four others died while fighting in World War I. The remaining 68 deaths are considered “presumptive” — the result of illnesses such as cancer that can manifest years later.

“The Calgary Fire Department is committed to making firefighting safer to prevent illnesses and fatalities,” said Chief Dongworth. “In addition to annual cancer screening for all firefighters, Calgary Fire has made many changes to the culture around health, wellness and safety, and continues to modify its practices, all of which support making today’s firefighters safer from risk and illness.”

As always, the memorial concluded with the laying of wreaths and a closing opportunity for reflection.

For more information on the Calgary Fire Department and our fallen firefighters, please visit our website.

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