Each year, on the second Sunday in September, fallen firefighters from around the country are commemorated with a special service called Firefighters’ National Memorial Day. On this day, the country’s flags fly at half-mast on all federal buildings.
This year, a member of Ritchot’s volunteer fire department was chosen to attend the service, which was held in Ottawa.
Marcel Courchaine has served as a volunteer firefighter in Ritchot for well over 40 years. He’s also the secretary treasurer of the Eastman mutual aid district. These volunteer positions fill his hours over and above that of his full-time career at the University of Manitoba.
“Every year the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs (MAFC) puts out a call to members who might be interested in going to [the national memorial service],” Marcel says. “I sent in [an application] and to my surprise found out in early June that I’d be going.”
Five other Manitoba firefighters were chosen to represent the province’s fire departments in Ottawa this year. Marcel’s wife Rita flew with him for the weekend event.
Firefighters’ National Memorial Day was established by the Canadian government in August 2017.
“The Government of Canada recognizes the dangers firefighters often face when carrying out their duties and the ultimate sacrifice of firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty,” the federal government website states. “Firefighters’ National Memorial Day will commemorate their courage, their selflessness, and their unwavering commitment to serving our communities.”1
For Marcel and Rita, the weekend left lasting memories.
“To be there with fellow firefighters from Manitoba and Canada to honour the guys and gals who have given their lives up for [others] was really something for us to be part of,” Marcel says. “I can guarantee that anyone who was there was very humbled by what took place. It was very moving.”
Three of Manitoba’s fallen firefighters were given special mention this year. Among them were past fire chief George Chyzy of the Arborg-Bifrost Fire and EMS as well as Edward Jordan, a firefighter from Portage la Prairie.
Lionel Gauthier was another fire chief being honoured. Based out of La Broquerie, Gauthier lost his life in 2022. For Marcel, the commemoration of Gauthier’s sacrifice made the trip to Ottawa extra poignant. Courchaine and Gauthier had worked together on the Eastman mutual aid district in past years.
According to the Courchaine, approximately 160 fallen firefighters were honoured at this year’s event. Not everyone died in the direct line of duty. Some succumbed to cancer or other illnesses caused by toxic chemical exposure while on call. Marcel says this is a common hazard for firefighters as they enter buildings or burning vehicles that contain plastics and construction materials that emit deadly toxins as they burn.
Today, the self-contained breathing apparatus used by firefighters is more sophisticated than it was a decade or two ago. Still, it has to be used correctly to be effective.
The ceremony took place at the site of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s (CFFF) memorial wall, located not far from Parliament Hill. The CFFF also flew in family members of the fallen from around the country in order to present them with a helmet and commemorative medallion.
Marcel joined approximately 300 firefighters in full uniform who participated in a ceremonial march to the site. They were led by a band of firefighter bagpipers also hailing from across the nation.
“We had the honour of marching in front of the families that were going to be the recipients of the helmets and commemorative medallions that the Foundation offers them,” says Marcel.
Rita had the privilege of sitting among guest onlookers. She watched in awe as families were called forward, eight at a time, to walk down a red carpet and receive the commemorative gifts.
“The firefighters who were presenting them to each family took the time to talk to them a little bit,” says Rita. “I just felt like it was incredible that they took that time to show their appreciation.”
Some of these included young spouses and their children, making the ceremony all the more moving.
“Being a wife of a firefighter, every time Marcel goes out on a call, I never know what he’s actually going into and if he’ll get hurt,” Rita says.
For Marcel, countless moments throughout the weekend left him inspired. Not the least of these was the fact that this year’s Memorial Day was hosted by the Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association.
“This made it even more meaningful for us who are not full-time firefighters,” Marcel says.
