Bunbury to host Firefighters’ Day

International Firefighters’ Day will come to Bunbury for the first time on Sunday.

The event, also named St Florian’s Day after the patron saint of firefighters, is commemorated annually in Perth, but has never had a formal event held in its honour outside the metro area.

Bunbury and Australind career and volunteer firefighters will introduce the community to the tools of their trade and remember fire fighters who have died in the line of duty.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services South West superintendent Ricky Curtis said the day was also about celebrating the people who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the community and to acknowledge the sacrifices firefighters and their families make.

“This is the inaugural year for this event in Bunbury which, through community support, will become a mainstay on our calendar, ” Supt Curtis said.

“The intent of the day is to remember our fallen but also take the opportunity to engage with our community.”

Supt Curtis said a memorial service would be held to remember firefighters who had lost their lives.

One of those firefighters remembered will be Department of Parks and Wildlife firefighter Wendy Barefoot, who died in 2012 while fighting a blaze near Albany.

“We recognise firefighters from all services, ” he said.

The event starts at 10am at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell.