Phoenix Rising K5 Photography: Firefighter Commemorative Service

At the 10th hour on the 10th day of the 10th Month - a minutes silence was given to the Firefighters lost in the Line of Duty and be remembered in the Annual Commemorative Service across the State.

As always I attended St Brigid's to not only photograph the day on behalf of the Retired Firefighters but to show my respect.

I am also proud to say that because of an "accidental" road trip many years ago, I got to bring home 2 names that had previously been overlooked in the Honour Roll.
6/3/1943 - Gympie Fire Brigade - FF Kevin Bennetts
2/11/1960 - Childers Rural Fire Brigade - FF DC (Mick) Calder.

Today, as always, when the bell rings summoning the families of firefighters to reflect and pay respects to their missing colleagues, I will shed a tear knowing that I bought both these names home to be honoured.

In the words of QFRS Chaplain Les Shaw
"May all the firefighters who have departed before us and their families always be remembered in our thoughts and in our prayers, for they are the ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to the community in an effort to protect the lives and property of others"

This service is held annually on the 10th of October.
The bell used in this service is the same bell that was used in the bell tower of the Ithaca Fire Station on Enoggera Terrace Brisbane.

The bell was used to summon firefighter to the station to respond to fires in that area. Today, as always, the bell is used to summon the spirit and memory of our fallen firefighters, their families, their friends and colleagues to pay respects to their revered brothers.

The wreaths laid today will later be laid at the Firefighters Memorial by operational firefighting crew. It is named the James Mooney Memorial in honour of the first recorded Queensland firefighter to die in the line of duty.