🖤 Honouring a Hero, Remembering a Life 🖤🚒
One year ago today, we tragically lost a brave firefighter to suicide. Their commitment to serving others will never be forgotten, but we also recognize the silent battles that many of us face in the line of duty. Mental health struggles can affect anyone, and it’s so important to remember that no one should ever face these challenges alone.
Today, we stand united in honouring our fallen brother, Preston, while also raising awareness about the importance of mental health within our fire service community. The struggles that go unseen can weigh heavy, and it’s crucial that we continue to support each other—through the tough calls, the quiet moments, and everything in between. Let’s continue to check in with each other, to listen without judgment, and to offer support when it’s needed most.
We are a family. We rise together, lean on each other, and lift one another up when times get tough.
To those who are struggling, you are not alone. Reach out. Talk to someone. Together, we can break the silence and provide the support we all deserve.
To our fallen hero, we honour you, we remember you, and we continue the fight for a healthier, stronger future for our brothers and sisters in service. We will never forget you.
This week, as we honor Preston’s memory, and this month as we pause to recognize all our fallen during Day of Mourning ceremonies April 28th – We encourage each of you to take a moment to check in with yourselves and with each other. The strength of our union has always been our solidarity — the knowledge that, as firefighters, we face the hardest moments in life together. In the wake of such loss, it’s important that we also remain vulnerable with one another, to share our struggles, and to seek the support we deserve.
On April 17th at 2:30 p.m., we ask firefighters, paramedics, communications operators, support staff, and uniformed first responders, friends and family from across Manitoba to attend the Manitoba Legislature for the second reading of Bill 29 — The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act.
This bill is the first of its kind in Canada. A monumental piece of legislation that will make it law for Manitoba employers to provide the resources necessary to prevent psychological threat, injury, and illness in the workplace, just as they do for physical.
