The Lebreton Flats in Ottawa served as an austere backdrop for the 20th annual Canadian Firefighters Memorial Ceremony held on this past Sunday; a setting that reverberated with the echoes of the ultimate sacrifice made by 86 gallant firefighters. Their names reverberated through the quiet gathering, homage to the 81 amongst them who succumbed to occupational illnesses.
Patricia Hill and her twin sons were a part of the poignant crowd, carrying with them the memory of a husband and a father who was part of the Ottawa Fire Service. Ryan Hill, Patricia’s husband, was one of the numerous victims lost in Canada to diseases instigated by exposure to the toxic fire battleground.
The grief evident in Patricia Hill’s words painted a telltale picture. “He was 37 when he passed away and it still has not set in that he’s gone and so today, seeing it, it just makes it a little bit more real that he’s gone.” Her husband battled Grade Four glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, a disease striking without prior signs just six weeks shy of his the 10-year service landmark.
Adding a somber note to the occasion, a Canadian made CL415 Water Bomber soared above the event; a poignant reminder of the over 15 million hectares that were devoured by Canadian wildfires this year, a grim statistic that doubled the preceding record.
The past year particularly proved deadly for those safeguarding communities against fire-ravaged landscapes. Four brave firefighters have given up their lives battling through the wildfires this year. It can’t be overlooked that eighty percent of these courageous firefighters across the country volunteer their service.
Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Sherry Romanado made known a federal government fund dedicated to wildfire fighting escalating due to climate change, a fund providing $256 million to provinces and territories. This contribution will aid in equipping firefighters with specialized training, enhancing their skill-set, and broadening their capabilities, promised Romanado.
Unfortunately, “We are still fighting fires across Canada and exposure remains a grim consequence,” acknowledged Romanado. “We foresee more illness amongst the responding firefighters, making it imperative to ensure their well-being is supported and taken care of.”
Paul Hutt, Ottawa’s Fire Chief reaffirmed the role of the Fire Service in hosting events of this magnitude. “It’s truly a day to pause, reflect and support the families who have lost their members this year,” Hutt reflected, emphasizing the need to constantly enhance the health and safety perspective for firefighters at work.
Highlighting the event was Patricia Hill, compassionate in her concern for those who risk their lives and property across Canada. “It’s just heart-wrenching,” she said, “to see how many firefighters passed away from either on-the-job accidents or with occupational illness.”
