Fallen firefighters remembered at annual memorial service
Posted Sep 13, 2016 1:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
“Today we honour those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Those words from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, as he was joined at the plaza beside Old City Hall with members of City Council, fellow Calgarians and families of the fallen in remembering 43 local firefighters.
Tuesday marked the 10th annual Calgary Fire Department Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
“We remember Calgary’s fallen firefighters — important public servants — who died due to the hazards they faced protecting the citizens of this city,” Nenshi said.
The ceremony included a moment of silence, laying of wreaths and ringing of the bell in honour of each fallen firefighter.
“Every day, across this city, the men and women of the Calgary Fire Department give their best in service to their neighbours, and to their communities,” Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said. “Many times, that means risking their lives to protect and save others. And sometimes, it means giving their lives to keep us safe.”
In recognition of the memorial service, fire stations across Calgary lowered their flags to half-mast from sunrise to sunset. The flags were lowered on September 11 and will be lowered again on September 17, in honour of both the Canadian Firefighters Annual Memorial Ceremony in Ottawa, Ontario, and the International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
