May 6, 2012

The first ever memorial service in honour of firefighters throughout Atlantic Canada who have given their lives in the line duty was held at St. Agnes Church in Halifax on Sunday, May 6th. The event, hosted by our department, was attended by career and volunteer firefighters from various communities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Besides municipal departments, firefighters from the Department of National Defence in Halifax, and 14 Wing Greenwood participated.

His Honour Brigadier-General J.J. Grant, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and his wife, Her Honour Mrs. Joan Grant, also attended, as did a representative of the Premiers office, several Members of the Legislature, Mayor Peter Kelly, several councilors and other dignitaries.

Firefighters mustered at Saunders Park, several blocks from the Mumford Road church, and marched to the memorial, led by our Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums and by our Honour Guard.

A collection was taken at the memorial with all donations going to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Our department’s newly formed choir "Men of the Heat" also participated in the service.

This is the first such service organized by our department and we are looking forward to making it an annual event.

Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Chief Director Doug Trussler (left) and Capt. Jim Gates, president of Local 268 of the International Fire Fighters Association, welcome His Honour Brigadier-General J.J. Grant, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and his wife, Her Honour Mrs. Joan Grant, as they arrive for the memorial.

Retired Capt. Gerry McNeil (left) and Capt. Ola Legere of our Honour Guard perform the Bell Ceremony.

Members of our department choir sang the hymn “We Shall Go Out with the Hope of Resurrection” as part of the service. From left are Collin MacLean, Capt. Kevin Reade, Lieutenant Darren Young and Capt. George Evans.

Department Chaplain John Den Hollendar delivered the homily and the benediction.

HRFE Chief Director Doug Trussler addresses the audience.

Honour Guard members Capt. Ola Legere and Firefighter Craig Perrier chat with Lieutenant Governor J.J. Grant during the reception following the service.

Members of our Honour Guard flank the entrance to St. Agnes Church in Halifax as the Fallen Firefighters Memorial is about to get under way.

See More Things Your Firefighters Have Done For You...