Firefighters make stop at Toronto Fire Academy during annual Memorial Ride to Ottawa

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

Firefighters are known for their physical prowess, endurance, and resilience against dangerous, life-threatening circumstances.

For the ninth year running, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop and members of Toronto Fire Services welcomed 70 firefighters from across the province arriving by bike at the Toronto Fire Academy at 895 Eastern Ave. on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Also on hand to welcome the riders were Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford and Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher.

Led by members of the Toronto Professional Firefighter Celtic Society, the 70 cycling firefighters made a stop at the Toronto Fire Academy as part of their three-day, 575-kilometre ride from Hamilton to the Canadian Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa.

The annual bike ride aims to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and serve as a tribute to the firefighters being added to the Canadian Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa this fall. 

Cyclists partaking in the event came from 18 Ontario fire departments, including 26 representatives of Toronto Fire Services.

For more information on the ride, please go to https://www.celticfireride.ca/

For more information on the National Firefighters Memorial, please go to https://www.cfff.ca/EN/index.html