Western Australian volunteer and career firefighters who have died in the line of duty will be remembered today at Kings Park.
Consistent with WA tradition, a memorial service marking International Firefighters’ Day will be held at the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove.
In an historic moment for the State, the names of 43 of our fallen firefighters will be unveiled on plaques.
This is part of a staged project, with additional names being added, ensuring that future generations of Western Australians can pay homage to the brave personnel who died protecting their community.
International Firefighters’ Day is held on May 4 to coincide with the feast day of Saint Florian, the patron saint for firefighters, and honours the role firefighters have in protecting and serving their communities.
Among the names inscribed this year is Leslie Charles Eyden, who was killed 65 years ago when a freak wind gust rolled a firefighting truck that he was operating.
Wendy Bearfoot also features on the memorial, 10 years after the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions worker and mother of three children died while fighting a fire east of Albany.
The event will be livestreamed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services at
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Each year, our career and volunteer firefighters dedicate countless hours to protect their community and save lives.
“Western Australia has never had a physical roll of names to honour the incredible sacrifice that these people have made, so the unveiling of this is a major addition to the firefighters’ memorial.
“The memorial will be a place for family members and the broader WA community to reflect and acknowledge on that sacrifice each International Firefighters’ Day.”
