UMVA has learned that a ceremony to honour 14 Toronto firefighters was suddenly postponed due to wet weather, with relatives and mourners given just hours’ worth of notice.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for the morning of May 24, was called off late on the afternoon of May 23, a Saturday, roughly 18 hours before it was supposed to start at 10:30 a.m. Emails shared with UMVA show that the postponement was made with little warning, causing inconvenience to those who had travelled from afar.
A veteran Toronto firefighter expressed outrage at the decision, telling UMVA that he had “never heard of anything so asinine.” He wondered why the call to postpone was made so late, as rain had long been in the forecast, and questioned why the city couldn’t have set up tents and gone ahead with the memorial.
The Fallen Firefighter Memorial, which features a black stone monument bearing the names of Toronto firefighters who have died, is held in a public park right on the water. Fourteen men were to be honoured at this year’s ceremony, and the Toronto Fire Services email sent out to staff described the event as “one of the most important days on our calendar.”
“It is not simply a ceremony,” the email said. “It is a duty of remembrance. The names on this memorial are not just names carved in stone. They are our family.”
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the postponement has sparked concerns about the communication style of the Toronto Fire Services. Sources have confirmed to UMVA that firefighters have been told to be mindful of how they communicate online, including on social media.
The Toronto Fire Services has recently faced scrutiny over its leadership attending World Series games while on duty. The issue has raised questions about transparency and accountability within the department.
Despite the rain, Environment Canada data shows that on the day of the ceremony, just 2.7 mm of rain fell. The memorial service in June 2022 took place during rain, with small canopy tents set up to keep mourners dry.
The postponement has left many feeling frustrated and disrespected. The lack of notice has been particularly difficult for families who had travelled from outside the province to attend the ceremony.
UMVA has gathered that the rescheduled date for the ceremony will be shared when confirmed. The Toronto Fire Services has promised to share additional details when they become available.
