Thousands Attend Memorial for Winnipeg Fire Fighters

February 14, 2007 -- More than 10,000 fire fighters, emergency responders, family and friends honored Winnipeg Local 867 members Captain Harold Lessard and Captain Thomas Nichols at a combined memorial service February 14 at MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg. The service was also broadcast live on radio and television across Canada.

Both fire fighters died in the line of duty February 4 in a two-story house fire. In addition, fire fighters Edward Wiebe, Lionel Crowther, Darcy Funk and Scott Atchison were injured in the blaze. Wiebe and Lionel Crowther remain in hospital with severe burn injuries.

More than 3,000 uniformed fire fighters and other emergency workers from across North America marched as a pipe band played into the MTS Centre to honor their two fallen comrades. Pat Martin, Winnipeg North-Centre MP, who served as the master of ceremonies for the memorial service, called the tribute to Nichols and Lessard a salute to all emergency personnel in Canada.

"It's hard to imagine a community more grateful and proud," Martin told the grieving families. "A grateful city shares your grief."   

On behalf of the Executive Board and the more than 280,000 members of the IAFF, General President Harold Schaitberger offered his deepest condolences to the families of Brothers Lessard and Nichols, and sent prayers for the four Local 867 fire fighters injured in the deadly fire.

“We are gathered here, in solidarity, assembled from far and wide – from across two great countries – as one family to remember and celebrate the lives of Brothers Nichols and Lessard, and to honor their sacrifice and commemorate their service,” said Schaitberger.

“Many of us here did not have the privilege to know these brave men personally,” he continued, “but we know who they were, because they were part of the brother and sisterhood that we all simply call ‘the job.’ It’s a bond that is shared among fire fighters across the globe.”

The IAFF will etch the names of Lessard and Nichols onto the wall of the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a solemn reminder that it takes a special breed to face the risk and danger that Captains Nichols and Lessard faced every day.