Hundreds of sombre firefighters from across British Columbia marched the streets of Victoria Monday afternoon.
Past the legislature, underneath the extended fire truck ladders, and by supporters lining the streets, uniformed firefighters paraded in unison, memorializing their fallen.
B次元官网网址�(My husband) sacrificed his life for everyone. He just loved his job and he didnB次元官网网址檛 need the recognition, this is over and above,B次元官网网址� said Gena Dombrowski, who lost her husband Ernie in 2015. B次元官网网址淗e was just happy helping people and making sure kids were safe and taken care of.B次元官网网址�
A Surrey firefighter suffering from PTSD, Ernie took his own life after 10 years on the job, leaving a wife and a 13-year-old son behind. His was one of 14 names called out in remembrance at the B.C. Fallen Fire FightersB次元官网网址� Memorial.
B次元官网网址淓very day itB次元官网网址檚 not only fire calls, they are going to motor vehicle accidents and tragedies that we only see on the news and we donB次元官网网址檛 know what (firefighters) go through,B次元官网网址� Dombrowski said. B次元官网网址淓specially in my husband's case, he really took it to heart and had challenges dealing with it.B次元官网网址�
Firefighters are also more likely to get cancer, or suffer from heart failure. Mike Rispin of the Nanaimo Professional Firefighters said he drove down the Malahat in support of B次元官网网址渢he brotherhood,B次元官网网址� and all other families affected by the loss of one of their own.
B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter where you are from, anywhere in North America, probably anywhere in the world, a firefighter is a firefighter and you can go to a fire hall anywhere and you will be treated and respected like a brother,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e are here not only for our own members but for other families and to support them as well.B次元官网网址�
Dombrowski received a flag in her husbandB次元官网网址檚 honour and clutched it to her heart following the ceremony.
"(Today is) bittersweet. This is wonderful. I miss my husband. My son doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a father anymore, but he loved firefighting and they are great men and women,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e just have to remember to take care of them like they take care of us.B次元官网网址�
