As three firefighters added to city memorial, advocates fight for greater recognition of occupational injuries

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News As three firefighters added to city memorial, advocates fight for greater recognition of occupational injuries 'We have a number of members that are still passing away from unrecognized cancers,' said Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Firefighters Association Author of the article: By Hiren Mansukhani Published Sep 08, 2026 4 minute read Join the conversation A Calgary Fire Department honour guard marches out following the proceedings at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony at Calgary's Municipal Plaza on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Brent Calver/Postmedia Article content Three more names have been added to a city memorial honouring firefighters who died either on the job or of work-related illnesses. Article content While the city has made strides in preventing such illnesses, more can be done to protect them from dying due to their work, says a firefighter whose fallen colleagues were recognized by the city for their service on Tuesday at the Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza. Article content Article content Article content “We have a number of members that are still passing away from unrecognized cancers,” said Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Firefighters Association. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The city paid homage to all firefighters who died because of the job, going back more than 100 years. The annual event included a march in honour of those firefighters, where duty officers held the Canadian, Alberta and Calgary Firefighters’ flags before a table with memorials to their fallen colleagues. Article content Three new additions were added to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in a ceremony at Calgary’s Municipal Plaza on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. The names of Captain Lorn Howes, Lieutenant Ronald A. Randon, and Deputy Chief Alton G. Mathers were added for 2026. Brent Calver/Postmedia Article content Mayor Jeromy Farkas recalled that 20 years ago, when the tribute plaza was established, it contained only 23 names. The number has now reached 80, nine of whom lost their lives in a traumatic work incident, while the remaining 71 died due to…