North Perth Council has agreed to a motion put forth by the local fire department to add names to the local firefighter's monument.
North Perth Fire Chief Janny Pape says the monument was erected in 2013 for firefighters Ken Rea and Ray Walter, who tragically died responding to a fire at a business in Listowel when the roof of the building collapsed on them on March 17, 2011.
The monument initially was meant to display the names of any local firefighter who dies in the line of duty, but Chief Pape says it will now also display the names of firefighters who die from any health complications or illnesses that came from doing the job.
"The report brought forward to council was a policy whereby the names of NPFD members who die in the Line of Duty, either in active duty, or as the result of an occupational illness recognized by WSIB as related to their role as a firefighter will be inscribed on the North Perth Firefighters Monument," Chief Pape noted. "Although the monument’s original design committee anticipated additional names would be added to the wall due to occupational illness, a formal policy was not drafted when the monument was erected in 2013. So because firefighters die of cancer at a rate up to four times higher than the general population, WSIB currently recognizes 22 forms of cancer as presumptive. Legislation provides that certain cancers are occupational diseases presumed to occur due to the nature of the worker’s employment as a firefighter."
Chief Pape says for herself and her fellow firefighters that sacrifice so much, having the monument and now having it include more names is very meaningful.
"The monument is inscribed with the words 'In honour of those who have fallen, dedicated to those who serve.' Those whose names that are engraved on the monument represent those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. By recognizing these individuals in a permanent way and in a prominent location, our community shows its respect and gratitude for the commitment and sacrifice of North Perth’s firefighters. This recognition carries tremendous significance for members of the NPFD family, and the larger fire service," said Chief Pape.
The monument is located at 330 Wallace Avenue in front of the municipal office in Listowel.
