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On Duty: Mississauga photography exhibition captures rare glimpse into activities of Port Credit firefighters

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Experience the inside world of firefighting through the lens of Stephen Uhraney

MISSISSAUGA, January 25, 2024 – Firefighting is not for the faint of heart. Now from February 1 – February 29, 2024, everyone is invited to experience the inside world of firefighting through the lens of Stephen Uhraney, an award-winning local photographer.

Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) have a responsibility to keep the City of Mississauga’s residents safe from hazards every day. This photography exhibition follows the daily routines experienced at just one south Mississauga fire station, but provides an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of urban firefighters.

Uhraney has been recognized by many publications and was recently named as a finalist in Canadian Firefighter’s inaugural photo contest.

**On Duty**: Mississauga photographer Stephen Uhraney (pictured above in foreground) captures rare glimpse into activities of Port Credit firefighters at Fire Station 104. Photography exhibition opens Feb. 1, 2024 at the St. Lawrence Starch Building in Port Credit, located at 141 Lakeshore Rd E.

Up close experiences with Mississauga Firefighters

‘On Duty’ includes 36 of 7,500 photos Uhraney captured of firefighters from Mississauga’s Fire Station 104. Attendees will receive a rare glimpse into the activities of Mississauga firefighters during critical moments when urgent help is required for individuals or properties in danger.

“This story of Station 104 begins in a coffee shop in 2022. I was taking a break during a photo walk, sitting at a small sidewalk table. I heard the siren before the truck raced past, heading east on Lakeshore. I probably took a photo, I don’t recall, but I do remember what I thought: fire trucks go by all the time, but we don’t see the people inside,” explains Uhraney.

How it all started

“I contacted Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi, and we began this project in the fall of 2023. I would eventually spend 30 24-hour shifts with Crew A, going to calls, watching TV, talking and laughing, and cooking meals,” Uhraney adds.

“Two minutes after walking into 104 on my first day, we were all leaping into the truck, on the way to a house fire. There are photos of that fire in this show.”

This photography exhibit provides an intimate look into the lives of Mississauga firefighters represented by A Shift, located at Fire Station 104 in Port Credit.

They rush in and help. And then they walk away, talk about the weekend, go grocery shopping, make pizza on Saturdays, and do it all again the next time the alert sounds. Stephen Uhraney

Uhraney initiated this project and looks forward to share this powerful photography experience with the public.

“My crew will roll their eyes when they read this, but I consider them superheroes,” says Uhraney. “Yes, they have training and equipment and experience and back up, but every time the alert goes off, they don’t know what they are going to see or be asked to do. They’re selfless.”

When

Opening night event: Thursday, February 1, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

There will be a short presentation and remarks on opening night.

Exhibition dates: February 1 – February 29, 2024

Where

St. Lawrence Starch Building in Port Credit, located at 141 Lakeshore Rd E.

Please enter the FRAM building and use the front entrance. The showroom is adjacent to the main lobby reception.

Accessibility note: There are short stairs outside and a couple of steps inside where the show will be.

The St. Lawrence building is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; you do not need a ticket for these timings. Stephen Uhraney will be at the exhibit on the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.