Saint John 9/11 Ceremony To Honour All Firefighters

Saint John will host the provincial ceremony to remember those lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and all firefighters who died in the line of duty or from occupational diseases.

The rotating ceremony is being held at the Barrack Green Armoury on Wednesday night.

Saint John firefighter Joe Cormier says while the local department usually has a large contingent, firefighters also come from all over the Maritimes and from the state of Maine.

“They show up from everywhere,” Cormier said. “Volunteer departments show up to march with us, the fire marshal’s office, Moncton, Fredericton, Miramichi, Dieppe. P.E.I. I believe is coming over this year, they’re going to send a person or two.”

Cormier says the tragedy in 2001 was the catalyst for this memorial ceremony to remember all firefighters.

“Firefighters all across North America and the world, in fact, that have given their lives serving their communities. It’s not just dying in a building collapse or in the fire or maybe having a heart event at the fire. Firefighters all over the world succumb to occupational diseases,” Cormier said.

Cormier says they have a hygiene program to help combat the impacts of occupational illnesses. He says it’s about getting better at cleaning up protective gear and their bodies after a fire.

“More and more studies that are coming out [show] some of our exposures could coming from the off-gassing from our own gear or the hose or maybe the inside of the cab of the truck is still dirty from a fire a couple of days ago. It’s just doing things better,” Cormier said.

The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Armoury, located at 60 Broadview Avenue in Saint John.

Anyone marching in the parade is asked to arrive at 5 p.m.