Three firefighters added to Calgary memorial; advocates push for expanded occupational illness recognition

Three firefighters were added to Calgary's Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza on Tuesday during the annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony held at the Municipal Building. Captain Lorn Howes, Lieutenant Ronald A. Randen, and Deputy Chief Alton G. Mathers all died of occupational cancers.

The three gave a combined service to Calgary. The memorial now contains 80 names; since its inception more than 100 years ago, Calgary has lost firefighters in line of duty — nine during active firefighting, 71 due to illnesses related to firefighting.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas attended the ceremony alongside city council members, the Calgary Fire Fighters Association, and families of the fallen. Each name was read aloud, the memorial bell sounded, and the Firefighters' Invocation and Bell Ceremony followed.

"Today, we remember not only how our fallen firefighters died, but how they lived, served and cared for this community," said Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth. "We gather with heavy hearts, along with profound gratitude."

The memorial has grown substantially: 20 years ago when it was established, it contained 23 names. The expansion reflects an ongoing crisis. "We have a number of members that are still passing away from unrecognized cancers," said Jamie Blayney, president of Calgary Firefighters Association.

Currently, the city recognizes about 21 cancers as occupational illnesses for firefighters. Families of those with recognized occupational illness receive federal and provincial worker compensation totalling $400,000.

Fires have changed. "When we look at the different structures of fires, the type of our furnishing of materials, as we've learned, there are a lot more toxic materials in many of these fires," said Alex Kwan, public information officer at Calgary Fire Service.

Research shows current cleaning technology removes only about 50 per cent of contaminants from firefighter gear. Next year, Calgary Fire Department will implement enhanced carbon dioxide cleaning technology for decontamination. "We would like to get to a point where whatever cancer a firefighter contracts in their career, it's recognized as an occupational illness," Dongworth said, but the statement was cut off in the source material.

Farkas addressed the 20th anniversary of the plaza directly: "There is something deeply sad about standing here on the 20th anniversary of this plaza and seeing how much this memorial has grown, because we owe every person whose name is here more than our remembrance. We owe them action. We owe all of you action."