Manitoba Fallen Firefighters Foundation

09/04/2026

These five individual's names will be added to the Manitoba Fallen Fire Fighters' Memorial on Saturday September 26.

Never forget Chief William (Bill) Clark (Winnipeg Fire Department), Deputy Chief Darren Killen (Dauphin Fire Department), Battalion Chief Dennis Lloyd (Winnipeg Fire Department), Chief Dwight McMillan (Onanole Fire Department ) and Fire Fighter Randy Pilcher (Stony Mountain Rockwood Fire Department).

We thank you for your sacrifices and honor your memory.

06/13/2026

Last Alarm🤍🕊️

A service will be held for our Chief John Sparham on Saturday, June 20 @ 1:00pm at Springs Church (595 Lagimodiere Blvd).

All are welcome.

04/06/2026

Happy Monday! Today we are going to pay tribute to a fallen firefighter.

Today marks 73 years since Firefighter Frederick J Brown lost his life at the Olympia Cafe Fire on April 6th, 1953.

Firefighter Brown started with the Brandon Fire Department on May 1st, 1929, and served proudly for 24 years until his untimely death in 1953. He was attempting to rescue one of the tenants from the building when he lost his life.

On October 4th, 2010, the City of Brandon renamed the portion of Maple Avenue between 18th and 19th St, Fred Brown Way in his memory.

In 2018, his family donated the pocket watch. As always, his pocket watch was with him on that fateful day. Unfortunately, the hands of the watch had stopped over the course of the fire. The pocket watch is on display in our museum at Fire Hall #1 (120 19th St N).

We would like to pay tribute and give thanks for his years of service to our city.

Frederick J Brown
Oct 29, 1895 - April 6, 1953
“…a faithful brother, a loyal fireman, and a respected citizen.”

Have a great day and stay safe!

02/04/2026

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the Gabrielle Roy house fire in Winnipeg.

On February 4, 2007, Winnipeg Fire Department Captains Tom Nichols and Harold Lessard were killed in the line of duty while conducting an interior search for trapped occupants during a residential structure fire in St. Boniface. Rapid fire development trapped them and their crews. Several other firefighters were seriously injured.

Today, we pause to remember their service, professionalism, and sacrifice. This tragic incident remains a solemn reminder of the dangers firefighters face and the seriousness of the oath we swear to protect life and property.

Our thoughts are with the Lessard and Nichols families, friends, and fellow firefighters who continue to honour their memory.

They will never be forgotten.

10/01/2025

09/27/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us this afternoon for the 2025 Memorial.

The weather cooperated and made for a beautiful day to honour two individuals that were added to the wall this year. Fire Chief George Chyzy (Arborg-Bifrost Fire Department) and Captain Gordon Pottinger (Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service) both were honoured today with their family members in attendance.

Rest easy gentleman, your work here is done, you will not be forgotten.

05/29/2025

Today we remember David "Bruce" Kitching of the Winnipeg Fire Department who passed on May 29, 2005 at the age of 48 years due to an aneurysm. Bruce had suffered an aortic aneurysm following a fire in 2004 which was followed by 2 different cardiac surgeries, and spent most of his last year in hospital. In April 2005, bound to a wheelchair, Bruce went to the Provincial Legislature to witness the introduction of the amendment to the Worker's Compensation Act to expand the list of presumptive diseases for firefighters and extend this coverage to include volunteer and part-time firefighters.

Bruce joined the Winnipeg Fire Department in 1992 and was extremely honoured to be part of the team. He was a very dedicated, compassionate and skilled firefighter in his 14-year career. Bruce loved his work and found it extremely rewarding, serving out of Stations 6, 12, 11, with Station 20 in St. James being his last station. Bruce was a member on the Board of Directors and was an active volunteer with the Firefighters Burn Fund and was a Burn Camp counsellor, working with burn survivors at Camp Mamawi for children.

05/26/2025

Today we remember Gerald "Gerry" Smith of the Winnipeg Fire Department who passed on May 26, 2021 due to occupational cancer. Gerry started his career with WFD in 1960, was promoted to Captain in 1990 and retired from service in 1994.

It is a known fact that firefighters are at higher risk of developing cancer because of the carcinogens in smoke and other chemicals they are exposed to when suppressing fires. Many older buildings contain asbestos, lead-based paint and other toxic materials. Exposure to these substances can have long-term health effects on firefighters, which has proven time and time again.

05/24/2025

Today we remember John McEwan of the Winnipeg Fire Department who passed on May 24, 1956 who collapsed at a house fire on Ruby Street due to cardiac arrest.

FF McEwan was born and raised in Carberry, MB and served with the 5th Battalion Canadian Engineers C.E.F. in the First World War. He joined WFD in 1926 and had 30 years service at the time of his death.