Western Australia’s fallen firefighters have been honoured at a memorial service at Kings Park, coinciding with International Firefighters’ Day.
The names of all 86 firefighters who have died while serving the State are now enshrined on plaques at the Firefighters’ Memorial in Kings Park.
The plaques have been installed over the past two years as part of a refurbishment of the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove, ensuring the names of those who died are not forgotten.
Minister for Emergency Services, Stephen Dawson said the project’s completion also marked the 100th anniversary of the first firefighter fatality.
“In April 1923 East Fremantle Fire Brigade Captain, Charles Gilbertson White lost his life when he was electrocuted in a house fire while rescuing a fellow officer,” Mr Dawson said.
“The upgrade to the Firefighters’ Memorial is now complete, ensuring that future generations of Western Australians can pay tribute to the brave personnel who died protecting their communities.”
He said the memorial service provided an opportunity to pause and remember those firefighters — “their bravery will never be forgotten by the family and colleagues they left behind”.
“We also acknowledge and thank the current serving career and volunteer firefighters who continue to serve and respond to emergencies around the clock, day and night,” the Minister for Emergency Services said.
