Ewan and other blaze heroes remembered

Firefighters across the country have this week marked their first Memorial Day.

The Fire Brigades’ Union held the memorial day on Thursday, May 4 to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters who died in the line of duty.

The memorials included a minute’s silence at noon with parades on station forecourts across Perth and Kinross and Tayside to remember the 2,486 firefighters who have died on duty since records began.

Linda Williamson, the mother of late Kinross-based firefighter Ewan Williamson, who died tackling a fire in Edinburgh in 2009, said: “We as a family who have suffered such a devastating loss welcome the introduction of a Firefighters’ Memorial Day. After all it could have been any one of you on duty at the time.

“Firefighters everywhere should remember their fallen colleague, my son Ewan, forever.”

Matt Wrack, the union’s general secretary and former firefighter, said: “Firefighters’ Memorial Day is about honouring the courage and bravery of the men and women of the fire service. These are highly skilled professionals who selflessly put themselves in the line of danger to protect others.

“We owe them so much, and this is a day to remember what they have give their communities.

“Firefighters understand the risks associated with their jobs but they do expect to come home safe after each shift. Sadly, this is not always the case. It’s important that none of us forget the sacrifice these men and women have made in order to keep people safe.

“We hope this day will bring comfort and strength to the families and loved ones of those we have lost.”

Colin Livett, the chair of the Firefighters’ Memorial Trust, added: “Fire does not distinguish between men, women or children - race, religion or creed. Neither do firefighters, they answer the call and do their duty. Some pay the ultimate sacrifice.”