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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

pause and reflect

Firefighting still feeling effects of 9/11 as first responders nationwide remember those who’ve fallen

Sep 11, 2024 | 6:00 AM

This Wednesday, it will have been 23 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and it’s an occasion observed with great reverence by firefighters around the world, including in Red Deer.

Annually in September, these first responders gather to mark Firefighters’ National Memorial Day — recognized previously, but officially established in Canada in 2017.

Ken McMullen, Red Deer’s fire chief and manager of emergency services, as well as president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), was working for the Municipal District of Rocky View on Sept. 11, 2001, and recalls helping with 300 families who’d come off grounded European flights.

“There were things happening in New York that just blew my mind,” he tells rdnewsNOW. “I vividly remember all of the events of the next three days.”

That day, which left 343 firefighters dead, changed the industry forever.

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In 2023, McMullen laments, the 343rd firefighter who was there on 9/11 but survived for some time, died from a 9/11-related health issue.

“That day changed codes, how we build buildings, and how we look at collapsed buildings,” he says. “But the number one change has been something we didn’t know about at the time, which is recognizing the cancer impacts of debris.”

In April 2023, rdnewsNOW reported the Government of Alberta was expanding presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters to include all across the province; this after it had increased the types of cancers covered for those involved in the 2016 fight against wildfires in Fort McMurray. The list is 20 forms of cancer-long, with mesothelioma, pancreatic, soft tissue sarcoma and thyroid cancers added.

Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters in North America, research shows, and the Alberta government said Workers’ Compensation cases would be handled faster with the change.

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Fast forward to 2024, and McMullen, who is also a member of Canada Task Force 2 (CAN-TF2) Disaster Response Team, was on the ground in fire-ravaged Jasper.

That fire tragically claimed the life of young firefighter Morgan Kitchen, whom McMullen says was grieved for intensely.

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READ MORE: ‘Bold and brilliant:’ Loved ones remember firefighter killed fighting Jasper blaze

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“An incident like that stops you in your tracks,” he says. “Though I’d never personally met this individual, and there were hundreds on that fire, you still grieve. We allowed individuals that day to come off the front line, and we had mental health supports available.”

A memorial in Red Deer on Sept. 8, 2024. (Supplied)

Those types of supports are a primary example of what McMullen has fought for in his time with the CAFC.

The association also continues its advocacy for a federal national fire administration which would advise on policy related to everything from fireworks to the storage of lithium-ion batteries, and fire code for affordable housing.

“We feel there’s a voice that’s missing at the federal table and although it may not seem there’s a direct link, [we believe] if firefighters have the ability to have input early on in any phase of fire-related incidents, it should reduce the impact to firefighters, mental health or otherwise,” he says. “That also means they can stay in the workplace longer.”

For Stephen Belich, president, Local 1190, Red Deer Fire Fighters, the risks are always top of mind.

“When we’re going to calls, it’s on our mind. We know our training though and can be prepared for situations,” says Belich, longtime member with Red Deer Emergency Services.

“When it comes to presumptive cancers, it about making sure we’re cleaning our gear properly, and when we’re in the shower after a call, we’re getting the carcinogens off of us. It’s all in your mind when going to these things — the next call, what’s it going to be; how’s it going to go down? We make sure as much as possible we can be safe for ourselves and for the public.”

Chief McMullen sat with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau late last year, discussing industry insights such as a reduction in firefighters, increases in equipment costs, and a need to incentivize volunteer firefighters.

Days like Sept. 11 force us to pause and reflect on the realities of how dangerous this profession is,” he adds. “It is important to take time for those individuals within our communities who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of their fellow Canadians.”

A smaller-scale memorial was held this year at Red Deer’s Fire Station #3.

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READ MORE

• Red Deer Fire Chief Ken McMullen shares industry insights with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
• Red Deer emergency services chief & association address Station #2 staffing challenges

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