Muhammad Amanullah
September 9, 2026
The Calgary Fire Department held its annual memorial ceremony on Monday to honour firefighters who lost their lives while serving the community, with the names of three additional firefighters formally added to the city’s memorial wall.
The ceremony remembered firefighters who died as a result of incidents during firefighting operations as well as those who lost their lives after facing occupational hazards over the course of their careers.
Three Firefighters Added to Memorial
The names of Captain Lorne Howes, Lieutenant Ronald A. Rendon and Deputy Chief Alton G. Mathers were formally added to the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light memorial.
The memorial is located outside Calgary City Hall and serves as a permanent tribute to firefighters who dedicated their lives to protecting the lives and property of residents.
Families Attend Ceremony
Family members of all three firefighters attended the ceremony, along with Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, city councillors and representatives of the Calgary Firefighters Association.
Family members and colleagues from the fire department remembered the firefighters’ service and sacrifices and paid tribute to their contributions to the community.
Deaths Linked to Occupational Cancer
According to the city administration, all three firefighters died from occupational cancers associated with the long-term hazards of firefighting.
Firefighters can be exposed to fire, smoke, hazardous chemicals and other dangerous substances during their careers. Repeated exposure to such hazards can have serious long-term effects on health and, in some cases, contribute to life-threatening illnesses.
Names Called Out in Tribute
During the public ceremony, the names of the three firefighters were called out one by one.
Each name was honoured with a special tribute, followed by the ringing of a bell in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
The event also included the Firefighters’ Invocation and Bell Ceremony, a traditional ceremony held to honour firefighters who have died in the line of service or as a result of occupational causes.
84 Firefighter Deaths Since 1885
According to the City of Calgary, a total of 84 firefighters have died since 1885.
The circumstances surrounding these deaths have varied, ranging from incidents during active firefighting operations to long-term occupational illnesses.
City records show that nine of the 84 firefighters died while actively fighting fires.
Sacrifices During the First World War
The history of the Calgary Fire Department also includes firefighters who lost their lives while serving during the First World War.
According to the city, four Calgary firefighters died while serving during the First World War.
As a result, the department’s memorial record includes not only deaths directly connected to firefighting operations but also the sacrifices of firefighters who served their country during wartime.
71 Deaths Classified as Presumptive
According to available figures, the deaths of 71 Calgary firefighters have been classified as presumptive.
The term refers to deaths caused by long-term occupational illnesses that are considered to be associated with the hazards firefighters face during their careers.
These illnesses include various forms of cancer, which can be associated with prolonged exposure to smoke, toxic substances and other hazardous materials encountered during firefighting.
Commitment to Preserving Their Legacy
The memorial ceremony also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of fallen firefighters are remembered beyond a single day.
The memorial outside City Hall serves as a permanent reminder to residents and future generations of the firefighters who gave their lives in service to the community.
Their Names Will Be Remembered
The addition of three new names to the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light marks another significant moment in the history of the Calgary Fire Department.
The names engraved on the memorial wall represent the sacrifices made by firefighters who dedicated their lives to protecting others.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, family members, fellow firefighters and city representatives once again paid tribute to the fallen firefighters and remembered their service with respect and gratitude.
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Calgary Remembers Fallen Firefighters as Three Names Added to Memorial Wall
By Muhammad Amanullah
September 9, 2026
The Calgary Fire Department held its annual memorial ceremony on Monday to honour firefighters who lost their lives while serving the community, with the names of three additional firefighters formally added to the city’s memorial wall.
The ceremony remembered firefighters who died as a result of incidents during firefighting operations as well as those who lost their lives after facing occupational hazards over the course of their careers.
Three Firefighters Added to Memorial
The names of Captain Lorne Howes, Lieutenant Ronald A. Rendon and Deputy Chief Alton G. Mathers were formally added to the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light memorial.
The memorial is located outside Calgary City Hall and serves as a permanent tribute to firefighters who dedicated their lives to protecting the lives and property of residents.
Families Attend Ceremony
Family members of all three firefighters attended the ceremony, along with Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, city councillors and representatives of the Calgary Firefighters Association.
Family members and colleagues from the fire department remembered the firefighters’ service and sacrifices and paid tribute to their contributions to the community.
Deaths Linked to Occupational Cancer
According to the city administration, all three firefighters died from occupational cancers associated with the long-term hazards of firefighting.
Firefighters can be exposed to fire, smoke, hazardous chemicals and other dangerous substances during their careers. Repeated exposure to such hazards can have serious long-term effects on health and, in some cases, contribute to life-threatening illnesses.
Names Called Out in Tribute
During the public ceremony, the names of the three firefighters were called out one by one.
Each name was honoured with a special tribute, followed by the ringing of a bell in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
The event also included the Firefighters’ Invocation and Bell Ceremony, a traditional ceremony held to honour firefighters who have died in the line of service or as a result of occupational causes.
84 Firefighter Deaths Since 1885
According to the City of Calgary, a total of 84 firefighters have died since 1885.
The circumstances surrounding these deaths have varied, ranging from incidents during active firefighting operations to long-term occupational illnesses.
City records show that nine of the 84 firefighters died while actively fighting fires.
Sacrifices During the First World War
The history of the Calgary Fire Department also includes firefighters who lost their lives while serving during the First World War.
According to the city, four Calgary firefighters died while serving during the First World War.
As a result, the department’s memorial record includes not only deaths directly connected to firefighting operations but also the sacrifices of firefighters who served their country during wartime.
71 Deaths Classified as Presumptive
According to available figures, the deaths of 71 Calgary firefighters have been classified as presumptive.
The term refers to deaths caused by long-term occupational illnesses that are considered to be associated with the hazards firefighters face during their careers.
These illnesses include various forms of cancer, which can be associated with prolonged exposure to smoke, toxic substances and other hazardous materials encountered during firefighting.
Commitment to Preserving Their Legacy
The memorial ceremony also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of fallen firefighters are remembered beyond a single day.
The memorial outside City Hall serves as a permanent reminder to residents and future generations of the firefighters who gave their lives in service to the community.
Their Names Will Be Remembered
The addition of three new names to the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light marks another significant moment in the history of the Calgary Fire Department.
The names engraved on the memorial wall represent the sacrifices made by firefighters who dedicated their lives to protecting others.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, family members, fellow firefighters and city representatives once again paid tribute to the fallen firefighters and remembered their service with respect and gratitude.
