- International Firefighters’ Day pays tribute to fallen heroes
- Service held at Firefighters’ Memorial Grove in Kings Park
- Eight new names added to Western Australia’s Honour Roll in 2024
Western Australian firefighters who have died in the line of duty were honoured at a memorial service in Kings Park today.
The service to mark International Firefighters’ Day saw families of fallen firefighters come together with current and retired emergency services personnel to pay their respects.
This year, eight new names have been added to the Honour Roll and engraved on plaques at the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove. The plaques, recently added to the memorial, now display the names of 94 WA volunteer and career firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Raymond Winfield from Yalgoo Bush Fire Brigade was among those added to the Honour Roll this year. The devoted volunteer died tragically in January 2023, aged 76, while fighting a fire at Mount Gibson Sanctuary.
Area Officer and volunteer firefighter Grant Hansen also had his name enshrined on the memorial. Grant served for more than 25 years and helped establish the first DFES facility in Narrogin in 2004 before passing away from cancer last year, aged 61.
International Firefighters’ Day is held annually to coincide with the feast day of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. It honours fallen heroes and all firefighters worldwide, both past and present, for their role in protecting and serving their communities.
At this year’s memorial service, the families of firefighters on WA’s Honour Roll were presented with framed medallions and lapel pins to help commemorate their loved ones.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“On International Firefighters’ Day we pause to remember and honour our brave personnel who sadly lost their lives while protecting the community.
“The Firefighters’ Memorial in Kings Park preserves the names of 94 Western Australian firefighters who died in the line of duty, ensuring their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“The role of a first responder often means running towards danger and they do it without hesitation. On behalf of the Cook Government and every Western Australian, I extend our gratitude to all volunteer and career firefighters who put others first and help keep us safe.”
