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SEPTEMBER 11 — 25 YEARS LATER
Twenty-five years ago today, the world witnessed unimaginable loss — and extraordinary courage.
On September 11, 2001, 2,977 people were killed in the terrorist attacks in New York, at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93.
They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends, coworkers and neighbours. Among them were hundreds of first responders who went toward the danger while thousands were trying to escape.
343 FDNY members, 23 NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority Police officers were killed, alongside members of other emergency services and agencies.
For the fire service, September 11 remains deeply personal.
The 343 entered and climbed the towers knowing people above them were depending on them. Their courage and sacrifice have defined a generation of firefighters.
But the loss did not end when the towers fell.
In the 25 years since, more than 600 additional FDNY members have died from World Trade Center-related illnesses. More than 10,000 are living with certified 9/11-related health conditions, including thousands diagnosed with cancer.
There are firefighters serving in our stations today who were not yet born on September 11, 2001. They know that day through the stories, photographs and traditions passed down by those who came before them.
It is now our responsibility to carry that memory forward.
“Never Forget” is more than something we say once a year. It is a commitment.
We remember the 2,977 lives taken that day.
We honour every firefighter, police officer, paramedic and first responder who gave their life trying to save others.
We remember the more than 600 FDNY members lost to occupational illness since.
And we stand with the thousands still living with the consequences of their service.
Twenty-five years later, their courage, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
🇺🇸September 11, 2001 — Never Forget. 🇨🇦
#NeverForget #September11 #IAFF #UFFW #Firefighters ... See MoreSee Less
After reading Marty Gold's story in the Winnipeg Sun one line stood out to us: “All he wants is for the fire department to stop by.”
So we did! 🚒 🍋
Ten-year-old Mason spent his summer selling lemonade in Transcona, working toward his goal of buying a snowblower and starting his own neighbourhood snow-clearing business.
After hearing that a visit from the fire department was the one thing still on his wish list, our members stopped by to grab some lemonade and support this hardworking young entrepreneur.
Keep dreaming big, Mason. We have a feeling that snowblower won’t be your last big accomplishment! ❄️ ... See MoreSee Less
🎉 Ignite The Night: Celebrating 48 Years of the UFFW Banquet & Ball 🔮
Join us on Saturday, November 21, 2026 for Ignite The Night — a reimagined celebration of the UFFW’s 48th Annual Banquet & Ball.
Get ready for an unforgettable evening featuring:
- Live entertainment from firefighter bands Suburban Funk Machine, Junction 509 and The Discmen
- Delicious food stations throughout the evening
- A fully inclusive open bar featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including signature drinks
- A brief awards presentation recognizing the outstanding achievements of UFFW members
All proceeds will be donated in support of The Preston Heinbigner Memorial Fund.
Tickets are limited — reserve yours today. Link to purchase in the comments 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
🚒 Happy Labour Day from the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, IAFF L867. 🇨🇦
Labour Day is more than the final long weekend of summer. It is an opportunity to remember the generations of working people who fought for safer workplaces, fair wages, reasonable hours, pensions, benefits and the right to stand together.
For Winnipeg firefighters, that history is deeply personal.
In 1919, during the Winnipeg General Strike, Winnipeg firefighters voted overwhelmingly to stand with striking workers — despite the threat of losing their jobs.
They made clear that even while supporting the strike, they would continue responding to fires and protecting the people of Winnipeg.
Many were fired anyway.
Replacement firefighters were recruited, and fire department equipment was ultimately used during the unrest that culminated in Bloody Saturday on June 21, 1919, when two people were killed and many more injured.
More than a century later, the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg remains proud to carry forward that tradition of service, solidarity and advocacy.
Our members serve this city every day — protecting lives, homes and communities. As their union, our responsibility is to protect them too: advocating for safe staffing, safe workplaces, fair treatment and the resources firefighters and firefighter-paramedics need to protect Winnipeg.
The rights and protections working people enjoy today were not inevitable. They were built over generations by people willing to stand together and demand better.
This Labour Day, UFFW Local 867 honours those who came before us, thanks all working people who keep our communities running, and recommits to building safer workplaces and a safer Winnipeg.
From our family to yours, have a safe and enjoyable Labour Day.
Solidarity. Service. Safety.
🚒 United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg | IAFF Local 867 ... See MoreSee Less
🏈 🎟️ Recognizing Our Members
Some well-deserving UFFW members recently had the chance to take in a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game through our Member Recognition Program.
These individuals were nominated by their own colleagues in recognition of the work they do, the way they support those around them, and the positive impact they have within our membership 👏
Each recipient received two tickets to the game along with a gift card to enjoy the night.
A small way to recognize some great people, made even more meaningful because the nominations came from the people they work alongside every day. 🏈 ... See MoreSee Less
A statement from International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward A. Kelly on the CBC's original guidance against referring to Sept. 11 as a terrorist attack (EN & FR) ... See MoreSee Less
“You become numb. You start to lose a little bit of compassion. You don’t feel like you’ve made a difference.”
That quote says a lot about what Winnipeg’s firefighters and firefighter-paramedics are being asked to carry right now.
The Winnipeg Free Press spent 12 hours with crews at Station 1, the busiest fire and paramedic hall in the city, and captured a side of the job the public rarely gets to see.
The constant calls. The unfinished meals. The overdoses. The violence. The frustration. The physical and mental fatigue that builds when crews are repeatedly responding to the same crises, often with fewer resources than the system needs.
In 2025, WFPS responded to more than 136,000 calls, a 30% increase over five years. Opioid-related responses have continued to climb dramatically, placing even more pressure on an already strained system.
One District Chief summed it up simply:
“We’re stressing resources, stressing the firefighters, the physical fatigue, mental fatigue.”
And through all of it, our members continue to answer the call.
This article gives an important and incredibly candid look at the reality facing the people on the front lines of Winnipeg’s emergency response system every single day.
A sincere thank you to Scott Billeck, photographer Robert Lee, and the Winnipeg Free Press team for spending the time with our members and telling their story.
Take a few minutes and read this one. It’s worth it. ... See MoreSee Less
🔥 ST. JOHNS AVENUE FIRE
Thursday night, our members responded to a serious house fire in the 300 block of St. Johns Avenue.
Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-storey home and initially fought the fire from the exterior before conditions allowed crews to move inside and continue the attack.
Three people were treated on scene and transported to hospital, including one in critical condition and two in unstable condition.
Incidents like this demonstrate the range of work performed by our members on every response. Aggressive fire suppression, rapidly changing fire conditions, patient assessment and emergency medical care were all happening at the same scene, at the same time.
Pictured here are members of our Fire Investigations Branch hard at work determining the origin and cause of the fire.
Our thoughts are with those injured and everyone affected by the fire.
📸 Photos: Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press ... See MoreSee Less
⛳ Another incredible year for the Hailey Belluk Hunt Charity Golf Tournament.
Started by Hailey’s family and friends following her passing in 2022, the tournament has become a meaningful way to honour her memory while supporting Manitoba families affected by cancer.
This year’s tournament raised $40,000 for CancerCare Manitoba, bringing the total raised over four years to more than $100,000 donated in memory of Hailey.
The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg is incredibly proud to continue supporting the tournament as a Platinum Sponsor. What Hailey’s family, friends and the HBH Committee have built from such a tremendous loss is something very special, and its impact continues to grow every year.
Congratulations to everyone involved in another successful tournament, and thank you to the golfers, volunteers, donors and sponsors who continue to support Hailey’s legacy. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
🚨 LINKS TO PETITIONS ARE IN THE COMMENTS 👇
🚒 Three petitions. Three important asks for Canada’s fire fighters, their families, and the public.
In partnership with Burnaby Firefighters Local 323 and Wade Chang, the IAFF is asking Canadians to support three federal legislative priorities:
1. Index the Memorial Grant for Fallen Fire Fighter Families
The federal Memorial Grant provides $300,000 to the family of an eligible first responder who dies as a result of their duties. That amount has been frozen since 2018 and has lost value to inflation.
The IAFF is calling for it to be increased to $375,000 and indexed annually.
2. Improve Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety
Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming more common and present serious risks to both responders and the public.
3. Strengthen Airport Firefighting and Aircraft Rescue Regulations
Canada’s airport firefighting regulations are not fully aligned with international standards, and aircraft rescue is not specifically mandated as a required function of airport fire fighters.
Each petition needs at least 500 signatures before it can be certified and formally presented in the House of Commons.
Please sign all three and share this post! ... See MoreSee Less