Canadian Firefighters Memorial

Photo of a granite monument with a fire pole and a statue of a firefighter in front of a memorial wall. — Canadian Firefighters Memorial

The Canadian Firefighters Memorial is located in the heart of Canada’s Capital at LeBreton Flats, site of the Great Ottawa Fire of 1900. It is a national monument to all firefighters in Canada and their contributions to the health, safety and prosperity of our nation.

The monument has three focal points: an 18-metre high fire pole, a six-metre high statue of a firefighter and a memorial wall. The immense bronze firefighter and the fire pole represent Canada’s approximately 200,000 firefighters. They were cast from recycled brass couplings sent in from fire stations across the country. The firefighter statue conveys emotion and dignity and directs attention toward the memorial wall.

Made of granite, the memorial wall is an abstract map of Canada. It pays tribute to all Canadian firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty since 1848. Each firefighter’s name is engraved over the province or territory that he or she died protecting.

The surrounding landscape is also significant. The lone pine on the granite island is a tree that tolerates heat and represents resilience. Red flowers and shrubs, together with maples that turn red in the fall, add to the beauty of the site. It is a site for contemplation as well as a welcoming place for people to eat lunch or read and for children to play.

The monument is the site of the Canadian Firefighters Annual Memorial Ceremony, which is held each September by the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The Canadian Firefighters Memorial was created in 2012 by Vancouver artist Douglas Coupland and Mary Tremain, partner at PLANT Architect Inc. of Toronto.