The Town of Peace River marked the First-Ever National Firefighters Memorial Day on Sunday, September 10, 2017.
It was on August 25 that Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale first proclaimed that the second Sunday of every year would mark his new day of remembrance.
A ramp ceremony took place at the Peace River Fire Hall yesterday to mark the occasion.
Fire Chief Tim Harris told the Trending 55 Newsroom that first responders, including firefighters, risk their lives on a daily basis.
“We never know quite what we’re going to in every situation,” said Harris. “We always have to call on all our training, and follow all procedures in place, in order to make it as safe as we can. But even then, there is still an element of risk with the job, where we basically go into a situation where people are escaping from.”
Besides members of the Peace River Fire Department, they were also joined by their counterparts from the County of Northern Lights, Northern Sunrise County, as well as the Village of Nampa.
Peace River Mayor Tom Tarpey, as well as Deputy Mayor Elaine Manzer and Councillor Orren Ford, also attended on behalf of the town.
But the department also held a smaller ceremony this morning.
“Over the last 15 years, we’ve held a ceremony on September 11th in order to remember 343 firefighters who perished on September 11, 2001, due to the terror attacks in New York City, as well as in Washington, D.C.”
But now, Harris says with National Firefighters Memorial Day, the department will have it on the officially proclaimed day instead.
All over the municipal area, flags were lowered to half-mast in order to remember those who’ve given their lives in the line of duty.
Firefighters from across the Peace line up to remember those who’ve given their lives in the line of duty during National Firefighter Memorial Day. (Photo/Town of Peace River)
– Posted by BET
