Twelve Calgary fallen firefighters added to city memorial

Sept. 12, 2023, Calgary – The Calgary Fire Department has added twelve more names of fallen firefighters to a three-story monument called Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light at a ceremony at the Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza.

The added names are: Captain Ervin Boettcher, Captain Leonard Maddison, Captain Ted Stewart, Captain Raymond D. Ross, Captain Robert G. Yeats, Captain John Wallebeck, Captain R. Scott Bothwell, Captain M. Wesley Carr, Captain Troy E. Koch, Captain Allan O. Little, Captain Grant P. Shultz, and Senior Firefighter Derek M. Sharman.

All of them died due to occupational illnesses, a city press release said.

The Calgary Fire Fighters Association (Local 255), Mayor Jyoti Gondek, members of city council, and citizens joined the department and the families of the fallen at the memorial.

While The Calgary Fire Department’s Memorial Wall has traditionally honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice during active duty or training, this year all names of the fallen have been inscribed on the wall, including presumptive deaths (such as those caused by occupational illness and injury), as well as firefighters who were sent overseas during the First World War but never returned.

Adding these names honours the broader range of sacrifices that Calgary firefighters have made and acknowledges the diverse range of challenges they encounter throughout their service, the city said.

In total, the city has lost 76 firefighters in the line of duty, nine during active fire fighting and 63 due to illnesses related to fire fighting, as well as four related to military service.

Calgary Fire said it has made changes to the culture around health and safety, and that it would continue to modify its practices, all of which support making today’s firefighters safer from risk and illness.