Firefighter's Pipes and Drums lead contingent out of headquarters

By Dori Modney and Photographer Brandyn Montgomery

Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony – a moving tradition

Sep 11, 2019 | 5:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE — Those who were along fourth avenue in the downtown area Wednesday morning just after 10:30, likely stopped to watch a parade of local firefighters, emergency personnel and police. They Lethbridge Firefighter’s Pipes and Drums lead the group along the street from Fire Headquarters to the Southminster United Church, for the annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony.

The memorial pays respect to firefighters, the men and women of Canada and the United states, who lost their lives in the line of duty. It got its start as a memorial after nine-eleven – September 11, 2001, as most are familiar with, and it’s carried on every since on September 11th.

Honour Guard commander, Jim Anderson, says it’s a “big deal” that firefighters everyday put their lives on the line to protect the community and watch over people that can’t otherwise take care of themselves, due to difficult situations, or are in need of support and help.

“We’re there for them and sometimes, unfortunately, firefighters lose their lives in those acts of trying to help others and we do this to memorialize them, to honour them, to pay our respects to them – to show our appreciation for their efforts, service and ultimately the sacrifices they make in service to our community.”

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“It hits very close to home”, said Anderson, “No matter where we go in North America, we find that the fire service is a brotherhood and we feel for other firefighters who are suffering the same as us.”

“I remember very clearly, the day the towers (twin towers in New York) were hit – I was on duty that day and I remember just standing around the TV and just awestruck – just speechless as it was happening and thinking of the firefighters that were losing their lives that day.”

Anderson explained the biggest killer for firefighters is cancer and other diseases of the industry, that come from serving the community.

“It’s a big deal to us as well, coping with the fact that we’re not just putting our lives on the line every day but, long-term affects of cancer that may develop after we retire.”

Anderson also spoke of the ramifications of the job.

“Fortunately, here in Canada we’ve made a lot of progress in legislation – what we call presumptive legislation – that supports firefighters who have retired, or haven’t retired, and develope cancer and other diseases, to provide them support. There are other locations around north american that don’t quite have the same legislation and support we have, so we try to do battle for them as well.”

According to Anderson, It’s a very significant day.

“With this job, yes we put our lives on the line, so to speak, and yes we put in time and effort to serve our community and our people and protect the ones we love but, this is also deeply meaningful in that we’re here to hounour those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice – they gave up way more than I’ve ever given up in my life, to serve and protect a community.”

For a long time, there was no recognition of the sacrifice that firefighters were making on the job but, also when their career came to a completion and the sicknesses and illnesses befell them because of the chemicals and other things they’re exposed to while working in the fire service.

With a lot of hard work, Anderson says they’ve been able to get firefighters’ service recognized by politicians, Workman’s Compensation and other organizations.

He also payed tribute to those involved in the tremendous amount of work put into place by the pipe band, to members of the honour guard, to administration, the bugler, the anthem singer — and so many people that participated in the ceremony.

Procession arrives at Southminster Church – LNN

“We couldn’t do it without them and those behind the scenes and the support we get from the public and the people who turned out along the parade route. We deeply appreciate and acknowledge them.”

Firefighters Memorial at Southminster United Church – LNN