- International Firefighters’ Day honours those who died serving their State
- Nine new names added to Western Australia’s Honour Roll in 2023
- Memorial service to be held at the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove in Kings Park
Western Australia’s fallen firefighters will be honoured at a memorial service at Kings Park this morning to coincide with the week of International Firefighters’ Day.
In a historic moment for the State, the names of all 86 firefighters who have died while serving WA are now enshrined on plaques at the Firefighters’ Memorial.
The plaques have been installed over the past two years in a refurbishment of the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove, ensuring the names of the deceased are never forgotten.
The project’s completion also marks the 100th anniversary of the first WA fireground fatality. In April 1923 East Fremantle Fire Brigade Captain Charles Gilbertson White lost his life when he was electrocuted in a house fire while rescuing a fellow officer.
International Firefighters’ Day is held annually on 4 May to coincide with the feast day of Saint Florian, the patron saint for firefighters, and honours the role firefighters have in protecting and serving their communities.
The event will be livestreamed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services at https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/iffd
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The upgrade to the Firefighters’ Memorial at Kings Park is now complete, ensuring that future generations of Western Australians can pay tribute to the brave personnel who died protecting their community.
“Today’s memorial service provides us with an opportunity to pause and remember those firefighters. Their bravery will never be forgotten by the family and colleagues they left behind.
“We also acknowledge and thank the current serving career and volunteer firefighters who continue to serve and respond to emergencies around the clock, day and night.”
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