NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 28, 2019
BRITISH COLUMBIA PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS
TO HONOUR FIFTEEN FALLEN FIRE FIGHTERS IN VICTORIA MEMORIAL
Victoria, BC – The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) will honour 15 of the province’s fallen fire fighters in a memorial parade and service on Monday, March 4, 2019. The BC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Service welcomes the families and more than 500 fire fighters who participate in the parade through downtown Victoria, culminating at a ceremony near the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
Every day, fire fighters work to protect the lives and property of citizens in their communities. In doing so, some have paid the ultimate price. This memorial is held to honour and remember these professional fire fighters who have died In the Line of Duty in the Province of BC. Fire fighters and their families from across the province will travel to Victoria to take part in this memorial parade and service.
“Our association is formally recognizing fifteen of our members who have lost their lives due to injury and illness related to their occupation. The toxic environments we work in have been scientifically proven to increase the incidence ratio to double that of the general population, for certain cancers and coronary disease,” said Gord Ditchburn, BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association President. “It is fitting for our provincial organization to honour these members from all over the province. It helps bring awareness to the dangers which continue to exist in the occupation of fire fighting, despite technical improvements in fire fighting protective equipment.”
The following professional fire fighters will be honoured: Douglas Angrove, Nanaimo Local 905; James Armstrong, Richmond Local 1286; Karl Heinz Bessler, Richmond Local 1286; Tim Boutin, Trail Local 941; Robert W. Chapman, Vancouver Local 18; Richard A. Couch, Victoria Local 730; Leslie A. Dionne, Surrey Local 1271; Roy Davies, Burnaby Local 323; Donald M. King, Cranbrook Local 1253; Tim Kernighan, Coquitlam Local 1782; Bryan Kongus, Richmond Local 1286; Robert H. Martens, Richmond Local 1286; Joseph Nick, Port Coquitlam Local 1941; Robert R. A. Rosenlund, Vancouver Local 18; Troy Russell, West Kelowna Local 4457.
The parade marches off from the Black Ball Ferry Terminal at 11:25 a.m. and proceeds along Belleville St, Government St, Superior St, Menzies St. to the rear lawn of the Legislature. The memorial service will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will be finished by 1:00 p.m. More information can be found on the memorial webpage.
In addition, the memorial will be live streamed on the following platforms:
bcpffa.net/live March 4th 11:00am; Step off 11:25am; Ceremony 12:00
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gord Ditchburn
President
BC Professional Fire Fighters Association
E: gord@bcpffa.org
T: 604-916-7110 (direct) or 604-436-2053 (office)
Nicole Clark
Director of Communications
BC Professional Fire Fighters Association
E: communications@bcpffa.org
T: 778-789-0820
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