Hundreds of people gatheredon Monday at a memorial march in Victoria to remember B.C. firefighters who died because of the work they did, including four firefighters from Richmond.
Fifteen names were read out and etched into the black granite memorial outside the B.C. legislature. They’ll also join the list of firefighters who died in the line of duty across the continent that are immortalized on the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado.
“As usual, (the march) was beautiful. It was powerful,” said Cory Parker, president of the Richmond Firefighters Association. “It’s a wonderful tribute to the fallen. Unfortunately, we’re getting very good at it. But we’re proud.”
The Richmond firefighters remembered were Bryan Kongus, who died in 2017 as a result of work-related PTSD; James (Mel) Armstrong, who died in 1977 of a heart attack; Robert (Bob) Martens, who died in 1994 of a work-related occupational cancer and Karl Bessler, who also died of a work-related cancer.
Firefighters are more at risk of developing cancer than the general public because of the hazardous materials they’re exposed to in their line of work. In 2005, WorkSafeBC recognized certain cancers as work-related diseases. In 2017, they recognized several more types of cancer.
The march happens every other year, and usually honours firefighters who have died in the line of duty since the last one. Parker explained that some older Richmond deaths were honoured this year because the union combed through records and found a few names that had been missed.
It’s been so long since Mel Armstrong’s death that Parker said they couldn’t find any of his relatives. Parker wanted them to know their loved one was recognized.
A full bus carried about 20 current Richmond firefighters and retirees to the memorial march. They were joined by hundreds of other first responders from across the province, their families and members of the public.
“It’s truly an honour and a privilege to see so many first responders from around B.C. here to acknowledge that sacrifice and ensure that sacrifice not in vain,” Premier John Horgan said to those assembled.
Gord Ditchburn, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association, also said a few words about the important work firefighters do.
“They go to work understanding that, every day, they will risk their lives for the benefit of others,” he said.
“There’s a reason why firefighting occupies a special place in our imaginations. Simply put, being a firefighter is about giving.”
