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Fallen firefighters honoured in Toronto by the Province of Ontario

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2022 – Yesterday at Queen’s Park,the Province of Ontario held an in-person memorial service honouring Ontario fallen firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. At Sunday’s service, the names of this year’s 36 fallen firefighters were added to the Memorial Wall in addition to honouring and reading out all 98 names of those who were lost in 2020 and 2021.

Of the 134 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the lives and property of Ontarians over the past two years, 28 were from the City of Toronto.

Today the Province of Ontario honors and remembers our fallen firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty protecting the lives and property of the people of Ontario including 28 from the City of Toronto who made the ultimate sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/TBlMS4vMTV— Toronto Fire Services (@Toronto_Fire) October 2, 2022

This is the first time in the last two years Ontario could pay tribute to its fallen firefighters in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

134 Ontario fallen firefighters 2020-2022 honoured at a memorial at Queen’s Park today (Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022),
*photo by Nancy Harvey*

Premier Doug Ford attended and laid a wreath at the service (watch below), along with several other dignitaries, including Lieutenant-Governor – Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Solicitor General – Michael Kerzner, President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) – Rob Grimwood, Director of Firefighters’ Association of Ontario (FFAO) – Jamie Hiller, and President of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) – Greg Horton.

This afternoon, I joined firefighters and their families at the Ontario Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony to reflect on the incredible lives of our fallen heroes and honour their service. We will be forever grateful to our firefighters and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. pic.twitter.com/hLWiRBTn8Y— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 2, 2022

Premier Doug Ford said the fallen firefighters are all heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“They’re all heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of duty and service to their community, and while they’re no longer with us, their honour and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Premier Ford.

A gigantic Canadian flag was hung at Queen’s Park as part of the memorial service honouring Ontario’s fallen firefighters on Sunday, October 2, 2022. photo by Nancy Harvey.

“Let me thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We’re forever grateful for your service,” Ford said.

Speaking at the memorial service, Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg said:

“For the 36 names being added to the memorial this year, and the 98 names that we are also honouring today, we are forever indebted to their service,” he said. “Their loss is felt deeply by their families, their fire departments, and the entire community that they pledge to protect.”– Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg

At the ceremony, after each name of all the fallen firefighters was read aloud a bell rang as part of the firefighter tradition for paying their respect.

by Terry Lankstead

photography by Nancy Harvey