Markham Firefighter Memorial unveiled

“The Markham Firefighter Memorial offers a place of reflection and an opportunity to pay tribute to fallen members of our fire service,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We salute all members of our fire service, past and present, and thank them for answering the call of duty to protect our community and keep us safe. I want to thank Markham Fire and Emergency Services and Markham Professional Firefighters Association for their collaboration in saluting fallen members with the installation of the new memorial.”

“The City of Markham is honoured to join our fire service partners to dedicate a monument that pays tribute to our fallen heroes,” said City of Markham CAO Andy Taylor. “The monument is a fitting addition to a civic square located in historic Markham Village that honours service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. To the families of the fallen, we hope this monument offers a place of peace and reflection and we invite members of community to visit, give thanks and pay tribute.”

The unveiling ceremony began with an honour guard marching in the flags and a rendition of O Canada. After opening remarks, a land acknowledgement, and a prayer, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti spoke, followed by CAO Andy Taylor, MPFFA Vice President Andrew Ireland, and MFES Battalion Chief, Jeremy Acton, who spoke on behalf of the Memorial Committee. MFES Fire Chief Adam Grant served as the ceremony's emcee.

Retired MFES Fire Chief Dave Decker then performed a ceremonial bell-ringing using the service’s antique restored fire truck, The Rugby. The ceremony concluded with a reading of “A Firefighter’s Prayer”, the sounding of the last post and reveille, two minutes of silence from everyone and the unveiling of the Markham Firefighter Memorial.

“Firefighters form a close-knit family, and it’s always hard when we lose one of our own in the line of duty. The Markham Firefighter Memorial gives our firefighting family and residents a shared space to gather, to remember and to honour Markham’s fallen first responders,” said MFES Fire Chief Adam Grant. “I want to thank the Markham Professional Firefighters Association, the City of Markham and my fellow firefighters for establishing this memorial. Most of all, I want to thank the families for sharing their loved ones with us. We will always hold them close and they will never be forgotten.”

Located at Markham Veterans Square and Cenotaph at 6031 Highway 7 East, it is hoped that the Markham Firefighter Memorial may offer some solace and support to the families of firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty while actively responding to a fire or as a result of occupational illness or disease. It provides a place for firefighters to remember their fallen colleagues, and serves as a gathering place for residents to reflect on the risks taken by firefighters on their behalf.

“As firefighters, each of us knows the risks of the job and accept them. Even though acceptance does not make the loss of our colleagues, our friends and our family members any easier to bear, I am proud that we will bear them together,” said MPFFA President Brad Lamport. “Members of the Markham Professional Firefighters Association, Markham Fire and Emergency Services and the City of Markham have worked hard to make this memorial a reality, and today we gather to celebrate the bravery and selflessness of our fallen and to honour their memory.”

The Markham Firefighter Memorial is the result of a partnership between the Markham Professional Firefighters Association, Markham Fire and Emergency Services and the City of Markham. MPFFA donated the monument and artwork, and the City of Markham provided the land and installed the monument. Thanks are due to the original joint working group consisting of Jeremy Acton, Scott Daniel, Therese Miller, Dave Decker, Morgan Jones, Brenda Librecz and David Plant.

City of Markham Firefighter Memorial