The eighth annual Toronto Professional Firefighter Celtic Society Memorial Bike Ride from Hamilton to Ottawa passed through Cobourg on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
On Wednesday, 64 riders stopped off in Cobourg for the evening before heading out early on Thursday and stopping at the Cobourg Firehall.
The memorial ride to Ottawa is the brainchild of Dave Cossitt, a Captain with Toronto Fire Services and the President of the Toronto Professional Firefighter’s Celtic Society (TPFFC).
Cossitt spoke to Today’s Northumberland at the firehall on their stop.
Firefighters from Calgary, Chatham-Kent, Woodstock, Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, Toronto, Bradford, Vaughn, Clarington, Whitby, Kingston, Beckwith, Ottawa, and Stephenville, NFLD—are taking part in the three-day, 575-kilometre bike ride.
“It’s a huge event for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation with a 152 names being added to the wall with 115 families attending.”
“When the service is on it’s really sombre, but it’s a celebration of the lives of those that have been lost.
It’s rewarding for us knowing that we biked the three days and got there and now we get to spend some time with the families.”
Cossitt said over time firefighting isn’t getting any easier.
“With the fuels, all the different e-batteries which are very toxic to our environment. Cancer is the number one cause of death for firefighters in Canada. It’s something that needs to be really looked at and try and make some changes to get the numbers down.”
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland welcomed the group of “heroes” to the town.
The ride is to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Cleveland stated that not only do the firefighters work day-in and day-out battling fires, but then they do long bike rides for charity.
Minister of Labour MPP David Piccini said he was very impacted speaking to a fall firefighters family and recognizes the dangers firefighters face everyday.
“You’re not only riding for those who have fallen, but also to raise awareness on prevention. And what we as a government and as a local community can do to keep you safe in the line of duty as your serve our community.”
“It’s been an honour to work with you over the last year.”
The inaugural ride of 2017 included 13 riders and raised $5,500 for the CFFF,
This years memorial will pay tribute to firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty or due to occupational illnesses. A record number of eight wildland firefighters died last year, underscoring the extreme risks of their profession, from battling intense heat and thick smoke to navigating rough terrain.
Their names and the memories of 152 other heroes will be etched onto the Memorial Wall this year, joining the 1897 names of the brave dating back to the late 1800s.
The goal for this year’s ride is an additional $100,000 for the CFFF.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
