A dedication is set to adorn a red fire hydrant outside the Irricana Town Office to recognize current and former serving firefighters.
“It’s to honour all of the firefighters who have gone on and to the current ones as well, and to honour their loyalty and hard work, and for keeping us safe,” said Irricana Mayor Frank Friesen.
The mayor said he can’t recall exactly where the idea for the memorial came from, but that it has been on the minds of Town council members for quite some time.
Friesen said he hopes the memorial will generate the same type of respect and recognition that the Town’s cenotaph does.
“I know personally, when I’m walking or sometimes driving into town, I look at the cenotaph and I just say a silent prayer of ‘thank you’,” he said.
Thomas Blasetti, the station chief at the Irricana Fire Department and the longest serving member currently on the team, said the dedication is a meaningful gesture.
“I can’t speak for those who came before me, but on behalf of the crew that we have here, it’s definitely an honour,” he said.
Although he is happy to hear the news of the dedication moving forward, Friesen said he always has been, and always will be, gracious for the work that the fire response team does.
“I’m very proud of all the hard work and dedication these men and women do every single time you hear the siren,” he said.
Friesen said the formal installation and unveiling of the plaque will likely come after the Oct. 18 municipal election.
