Thank you for your service to your community.
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Calgary has lost 77 firefighters in the line of duty, nine during active firefighting and 63 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 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.
Sadly, the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard added the name of Senior Firefighter Billy B. Stewart this year to the three-story monument called Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light located at the Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza. Stewart died due to an occupational illness.
“As we reflect on those Calgary firefighters whose days numbered far fewer than they deserved, we remember their stories,” said Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth. “Each one left a legacy of bravery and love that we carry forward in our hearts. We stand shoulder to shoulder to remember not only how they died, but how they lived.”
The Calgary Fire Department has made many changes to the culture around health and safety, and continues to modify its practices, all of which support making today’s firefighters safer from risk and illness.
“The safety measures we adhere to aren’t just guidelines—they are lifelines,” said Dongworth.
“We’ve made great strides in advancing technology, refining our training and techniques, and improving firefighter wellness. However, we must remain vigilant as new technologies, new construction, societal change and climate change all impact our ever-changing world and in turn present new risks to our firefighters.”
For more information on the Calgary Fire Department and our fallen firefighters, please visit our website.
