Captain Jason Briggs of the Calgary Fire Department said nothing brought more satisfaction to his late father, Captain Edward Briggs, than saving lives, protecting property, and making a difference in the community.

That’s why the elder Briggs wouldn’t have changed a thing, despite passing away due to leukemia back in 2004, after 33 years of service to the Calgary Fire Department.

Briggs honoured his father and 80 other community heroes at the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday at the Firefighter Tribute Plaza outside Calgary’s Municipal Building.

“The toll of years spent fighting fires is cutting short the lives of too many brave men and women, robbing them of chances to grow old and watch their grandchildren grow,” said Briggs.

“Everyone’s support here today means the world to the families who have lost a loved one. Everyone has busy lives, but the fact that you took time to be here shows your respect, and it means so much. Memorials like this are exactly what we need, and it’s how I’ve been able to share with my family, especially my daughters, the impact that my dad made to other individuals in this city.”

Briggs said until someone has a family member on the wall, they may not truly understand the value of memorials like this one.

“It gives us a chance to show how incredible our loved ones were and how many people they’ve touched,” he said.

Since 1885, Calgary’s fire department has lost 81 firefighters in the line of duty, with nine in active firefighting and 68 due to illnesses related to firefighting. Four names were added to the list this year: Captain Allan Borbridge, Fire Marshal Les McMillan, Captain John T. West and Captain Ron Forrest.

More is being done to help firefighters: Chief

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, whose father-in-law and brother-in-law were firefighters, the latter of whom died of cancer in 2013, said that it’s hard to be reminded of a loved one being gone because of the life they chose, and the sacrifices made.

“Marrying into a firefighting family also made me part of a larger family, one that understands the fear and uncertainty that comes with every call, and one that knows the strength it takes, not just from the person in uniform, but from the entire family unit to live a life of such service,” she said.

“That’s why days like today weigh so heavily, because when we add names to this memorial, we know that the risk remains very real.”

Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said that there are no words that can ease the pain of loved ones.

“Each one has left a legacy of bravery and passion that we carry forward in our hearts and in our service, we stand shoulder to shoulder to remember not only how they died, but also how they lived and how they served to the families of our fallen,” he said.

Changes have been made to help the health and wellness of Calgary firefighters, Dongworth said. That includes annual cancer screening for all members, and changes to the culture around health, mental wellness and safety. The newer fire stations are being built with more space for wellness and better ventilation. Firefighters now have access to psychologists, a wellness clinic and a peer support program.  

He said no longer are they sending people into buildings to save property if it risks one person’s life.

“That recognition of the fact that before we commit people to an interior fire attack, which is the most dangerous thing we do in terms of firefighting, we make sure there’s actually a life to be saved,” he said.

“We don’t do that for property. If it puts our people at risk.”

Jamie Blaney, head of the firefighters’ union local 255, thanked the City of Calgary for investing more in firefighters, but more must be done.

“When I was writing this speech, I could not help but notice how similar it sounded to last year’s: The same issues, the same fight, and it tells me something important – that not enough has changed,” he said.

“I promise you this, we will keep speaking out on these issues year after year, if we have to, until change happens. And I hope that one day I can stand here and deliver a different kind of speech, one that celebrates progress instead of pointing out the same dangers we have been talking about for too long.”