Memorial service Sunday to honour fallen Toronto firefighters

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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Media Advisory:  June 6, 2014      

Memorial service Sunday to honour fallen Toronto firefighters

The City of Toronto will add the names of three fallen firefighters to the Memorial Honour Roll at a ceremony on Sunday. The service will include words of solace and the laying of wreaths by Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly and members of Toronto Fire Services and the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Date: Sunday, June 8

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Harbourfront Fire Station, 339 Queens Quay W.

A total of 239 firefighters have died in the line of duty while protecting lives, property and the environment in Toronto since 1848. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario recognizes that many of the recent deaths of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty are the result of work-related cancers. Firefighters and their families and friends gather annually for the ceremony of remembrance.

Names added this year:

• District Chief Barry James White, died January 21, 2009 

• Captain Michael L. Bates, died November 18, 2013 

• Captain Neil G. Harrison, died February 24, 2014

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Toronto Fire Services Media Line, 416-338-0763