Calgary adds three firefighters to fallen memorial at Municipal Building plaza

The Calgary Fire Department added three names to the Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza in front of Calgary's Municipal Building on Sept. 8, at its annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony. Captain Lorn Howes, Lieutenant Ronald A. Randen and Deputy Chief Alton G. Mathers were added to the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light monument by the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard.

All three firefighters died due to cancers acquired through occupational exposure, according to the City of Calgary. Since its inception in 1885, Calgary has lost 84 firefighters in the line of duty.

Of those 84 deaths, nine are considered "traumatic," 71 are considered "presumptive" — the result of illnesses such as cancer that can manifest years later — and four died while fighting in World War I. Together, the firefighters gave a combined 2,331 years of service to Calgary.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas, members of City Council, the Calgary Fire Fighters Association (Local 255) and others joined the Calgary Fire Department and families of the fallen at the ceremony. Each year, the names of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice are read aloud during the public ceremony, with the Memorial Bell sounded as each name is read, followed by the Firefighters' Invocation and Bell Ceremony.

Today, we remember not only how our fallen firefighters died, but how they lived, served and cared for this community. We gather with heavy hearts, along with profound gratitude.Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth

The Calgary Fire Department says it has not seen a traumatic workplace fatality since 1992. It points to annual cancer screening for all firefighters and changes to mental health, wellness and safety supports, and says it continues to modify practices and improve equipment and duty gear.

Chief Dongworth said the service continues to adapt to new risks, including highly toxic lithium-ion battery fires, and that residential house fires now produce significantly more toxic smoke and heat than in the past. Calgary Fire is currently investigating emerging technologies that could improve decontamination of firefighter duty gear, using enhanced carbon dioxide cleaning that would also increase the lifespan of front-line clothing and equipment.

The greatest way we honour those we have lost is by carrying their lessons forward and making this profession safer for the firefighters who serve today. We learn. We improve. We adapt. And we do everything we can to help future firefighters live longer, healthier lives.Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth

The memorial concluded with the laying of wreaths and a closing opportunity for reflection.