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Firefighters’ National Memorial Day 2022: how Canadian departments honoured the fallen

Sept. 14, 2022, Canada – Sunday, Sept. 11, marked Firefighters’ National Memorial Day. This year’s memorial day coincided with the 21^st anniversary of 9/11, where 343 FDNY firefighters lost their life.

This year, 82 names from across Canada were added to the memorial in Ottawa during the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s service, bringing the total to 1,811.

Here is a round-up of how some of the fire departments across Canada honoured the fallen.

Departments in Saskatchewan flew flags at half-mast. The Saskatoon Firefighters Union IAFF 80 held a private ceremony on Sunday evening.

A group of almost 60 firefighters cycled 550 km over three days from Hamilton, Ont., to the national memorial in Ottawa. The group, who been cycling for five years, hopes to raise funds for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation and to raise awareness of the memorial.

In Ontario, Belleville Fire and Emergency Services unveiled its Firefighter Memorial Rose Garden on Sunday, which will honour 13 Belleville firefighters who have lost their lived in the line of duty.

The Manitoba Fallen Firefighter Monument was unveiled in Winnipeg in honour of fallen peers. The monument is tied to the 2002 Manitoba legislation that expanded cancer coverage for firefighters.

Nova Scotia’s Art Andrews, founder of the Auld’s Cove Volunteer Fire Department, was added to the memorial in Ottawa this weekend, along with four other Nova Scotians: Todd Arenburg, Skyler Blackie, Christopher Myers and David Galley.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services honoured firefighters who have lost their lives on duty by joining the Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Society for their 25^th annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

In Langely, B.C., Sergeant Major Jason Linn spoke to guests at the fourth annual Mayor’s charitable gala about the importance of tradition in the fire service and the firefighter’s code of conduct. Linn also shared the sentiment of the meaning of the last alarm.

First responders from across the Okanagan region in B.C. participated in their fourth annual 9/11 Stair Climb to raise money for the Kelowna Firefighter’s Charitable Society and Burn Fund. This year, members of the community participated in the climb for the first time in climbing Knox Mountain Road.

Nineteen firefighters from across the Grey and Bruce counties in Ontario participated in their own 9/11 Stair Climb on Sunday. Firefighters climbed inside the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The Ministry of Public Safety Canada released a statement on Sunday, reiterating the importance of the annual memorial.

“Every day, Canadian firefighters bring remarkable expertise, passion, courage, and commitment to a dangerous, but vital job – one that all Canadians rely on,” Minister of Public Safety Canada Bill Blair said in the statement. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, and a grateful nation, I offer Canada’s firefighters my deepest thanks.”