The names of three Calgary firefighters were added to a list of the fallen at an annual memorial service on Tuesday. The Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service was held outside Calgary city hall at noon. The service paid tribute to the 84 Calgary Fire Department (CFD) firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, including nine during active firefighting, 71 due to illnesses related to firefighting and four who served in World War 1. This year, the names of Capt. Lorn Howes, who died on Nov. 15, 2024, Lt. Ronald A. Randen, who died on May 1, 2025, and Deputy Chief Alton G. Mathers, who died on July 3, 2025, were added to the three-storey monument at the Walls of Memory/Lantern of Light, located at Calgary’s Police Officers and Firefighters Tribute Plaza. All three died due to cancers acquired through occupational exposure. “Today, we remember not only how our fallen firefighters died, but how they lived, served and cared for this community,” said CFD Chief Steve Dongworth. “We gather with heavy hearts, along with profound gratitude.” Of the 84 firefighter deaths in Calgary, nine are considered “traumatic.” An additional 71 deaths are considered “presumptive” — the result of illnesses such as cancer that can manifest years later. “Our fire service continues to adapt to new risks, such as highly toxic lithium-ion battery fires,” says Dongworth said. “Even residential house fires that we routinely attend produce significantly more toxic smoke and heat than in the past. Newer synthetic and petrochemical-based materials release lethal volatile organic compounds, benzene, styrene, hydrogen cyanide, and dioxins.” Mayor Jeromy Farkas also attended the ceremony, along with members of city council, the Calgary Fire Fighters Association (Local 255) and members of the public.
