Firefighters honour those who died in 9/11 and in the line of duty
Edmonton firefighters and loved ones gathered to honour and remember those lost in the line of duty in our city and those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years ago.
“It is extremely important that we recognize on an annual basis those members of our organization, as well as EPS and AHS, to who have sacrificed for their service,” said Brad Kitiuk, acting fire chief.
“Over time we bear a lot of trauma of the calls we go to,” he added. “Mental health is a hidden impact to all of us and we need to take care of ourselves.”
The names of 28 local active firefighters and retired members were read and followed by the ringing of a bell by a family member or loved one to signify their last alarm.
Hundreds attended the annual ceremony, including Mayor Don Iveson, Edmonton Strathcona MP Heather McPherson, and NDP leader Rachel Notley.
Edmonton firefighters marched from the Connaught Armoury after 10 a.m. and arrived in front of the memorial plaza in Old Strathcona for the ceremony.
The High Level Bridge will also be lit up in red Saturday evening to honour the sacrifices of fallen firefighters.
The memorial plaques inscribed with the names of all Edmonton firefighters killed in the line of duty were stolen from the bell tower this summer. During the ceremony on Saturday, Noel Bugnet, chairman of the Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Society, shared that the four plaques will be replaced with something much “bigger and better.”
Bugnet added that it was because of community support and donations that the plaques could be replaced and that the project will be completed by the end of October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump delivers rambling response to conviction in hush money trial
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.
Mediterranean diet helps women live much longer, a large new study finds
Women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.
How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?
Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Solutions coming for piled-up bodies outside Newfoundland hospital
Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are only weeks away from a solution to move unclaimed human remains out of roadside freezers and into a nearby hospital.
Actor Nick Pasqual charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing estranged girlfriend
An actor who has appeared in film and TV projects like 'Rebel Moon' and 'How I Met Your Mother' has been arrested and charged with stabbing his estranged girlfriend multiple times.
'Unprecedented': Human smuggling from B.C. to U.S. soars, using train, Uber and foot
American prosecutors and law enforcement officers say they're dealing with a huge increase in human smuggling from British Columbia.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Incendiary device thrown at Vancouver synagogue, Jewish Federation says
An incendiary device was thrown at a Vancouver synagogue Thursday night, leading to increased police presence at local institutions, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver says.