September 10 marked the first Firefighters’ Memorial Day in Preeceville and Canada.
In August the federal government announced a special memorial day for firefighters would be observed on the second Sunday of September going forward. Prior to now, there had not been a national day memorializing firefighters and the crucial role they play in Canada.
In Preeceville, members of the department observed the day with the lowering of municipal flags to half-mast to commemorate the sacrifices made by firefighters in the name of serving and bettering their communities.
Fire chiefs Scott Debienne of Carrot River and Micheal Doogan of Canora accompanied Trevor Bartel, Preeceville fire chief, at the special ceremony.
Bartel raised the fire department flag, Debienne raised the Saskatchewan flag and George Kidder raised the Canada flag and represented the collaborations between the emergency medical services (EMS) and fire department.
Welma Bartel, deputy mayor, was in attendance representing the Town of Preeceville and the ceremony.
"We are here to cherish the collaborations between fire departments and EMS," said Trevor Bartel. "Today marks the Canadian Firefighters Memorial Day.
“We are here to honour our fallen firefighters from our great communities coast to coast,” Bartel said. “We want to acknowledge their families for their support of their loved ones’ desire to serve the communities to help protect them and the people they may or may have not known.”
He also acknowledged all current firefighters, spouses and families for continuing to serve their communities.
