MAFC AND MB FIRE SERVICE HONORARY HOSTS OF THE CANADIAN FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION 2019
It was with great honour that the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs and the Manitoba Fire Service served as Honourary Hosts of the 2019 Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony.
Although the actual ceremony was held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 as hosts our duties began on Friday September 6, 2019. Duties of the honourary host included:
• Providing shuttle services for the 10 LODD families
• Providing honour guards for the Family Reflections Services on Saturday, Family dinner on Saturday nights as well as at the Sunday Memorial Ceremony.
• Hosting a Hospitality Event for families and ceremony participants on Friday, September 6
• Providing speakers at the Family Dinner and the Sunday Memorial Ceremony
Our Manitoba contingent consisted of 16 participants:
FR:(l-r) Andy Thiessen, Fiire Chief, Morden Fire & Rescue
Rob Pike, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Fire Commissioner
Brad Yochim,MAFC President, Fire Chief, Wallace District Fire Department
Gary MacGregor, – Fire Chief, Gimli Fire & Rescue
Sharon Williams, Executive Director, MAFC,
Wes Zilkie, Fire Chief, Morris Fire Department
David Schellenberg, Fire Chief, Winnipeg Beach Fire Department
BR:(l-r)Kurt Rewerts, Lieutenant, Swan River Fire Department
Curtis Boucher, Deputy Chief, Russell Fire Department
Nick Young, Fire Chief, Miniota Fire Department
Eugene Fillion, Fire Chief, St. Jean Fire Department
Kelvin Toews, Fire Chief, Steinbach Fire Department
Brett Stephen, Captain, Swan River Fire Department
Curtis McClintock, Fire Chief, Stonewall/Rockwood Fire Department
Cam Abrey, Fire Chief, Dauphin Fire Department
Earl Simmons, Deputy Chief, Lac du Bonnet Fire Department
The Manitoba Group participated in briefings and rehearsals for the various honour guard requirements. A tour of the hill took place for families and participants on Saturday and nine of the MB contingent participated in the Family Dinner on Saturday evening where Nick Young gave a touching and personal speech. Most or all of the contingent took shifts in shuttling families. All involved that weekend were provided shuttle service including families who’s loved ones were added to the wall but not honored. The CFFF provided 3 rental vans and Ottawa Fire provided three of their shuttles for most of the weekend. Saturday night after the family dinner everyone was treated to amazing impromptu pipes and drum performances at the Highlander Pub. The Memorial Ceremony on Sunday was the highlight of the weekend where all came together to honour the Fallen and those left behind. MAFC President Yochim addressed those in attendance on behalf of the Manitoba Fire Service.
