Fallen Fire Fighters

Yesterday, in Australia (Queensland), another firefighter died in the line of duty. Firefighter Izabella Nash (Izzy), lost her life at a factory fire. Izzy was 46 and a 10 year career firefighter, her partner too is a firefighter. There have been many firefighter deaths over the years, each one impacts family, friends and the community. The fire service is a family and a community made up of front-line friends.

Today is also St Florian's Day (the patron saint of firefighters) and International Firefighters day. After a tragic fire in Australia (Victoria), in 1999 with the loss of 5 firefighters Lt Julie-Jane (JJ) Edmondson kicked off International Firefighters Day (4th May). In her own words.......

Soon, there will be a service for Izzy, it will be emotional. It will trigger emotional moments and memories for almost all firefighters around the world.

There is also a broader family of emergency services and front line people around the world. These are people who, because of the work they have elected to do, whether volunteer, part time or career, serve their community in often times dangerous, violent and unpredictable situations.

The bottom line is that for many of these international emergency service people, including fire, police, ambulance, paramedics and also military and medical personnel, they never know at the start of their day if it will be their last.

Izzy was a wonderful human being who went to work on Tuesday to do what she loved, and Izzy loved being with her extended firefighter family and serving her community.

Vale firefighter Izabella Nash......