A large crowd filled the fire hall to capacity on Saturday for what Lt. Jeff Keeping called "a remarkable milestone in our long, rich history" - the official unveiling of a memorial marking 150 years of service by the Uxbridge fire department.
The crowds began assembling almost an hour before the start of a parade that moved from the arena to the fire hall. The parade included the Uxbridge Legion Pipes and Drums, the Highland Creek Pipes and Drums, a fire department colour guard, members of the 1st Uxbridge Scouts and various antique fire vehicles. When the parade eventually reached the fire hall it actually made its way right through the building. Every seat inside the hall was filled, an upper level balcony was jammed and dozens of others spilled outside.
Prior to the start of the parade, regional councillor Bruce Garrod and councillor Willie Popp used golf carts to shuttle people up the hill from the arena to the fire hall. Inside the hall were displays of memorabilia and dozens of greeting cards and crafts created by local school children. Outside the hall, commemorative banners, similar to the Remembrance Day banners around town, were displayed on lamp posts flanking the building.
Firefighters and equipment from numerous fire departments around the GTA were on hand to help their Uxbridge colleagues mark the occasion, as were representatives of all levels of government. MP Jennifer O'Connell spoke of the fire department's essential service, saying: “When you pick up the phone, you know help will be there." MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy noted firefighters, "put their lives on the line every time they go out," and regional chair John Henry remembered the response of the fire department when the town was hit by a tornado two years ago. Mayor Dave Barton paid tribute to the firefighters' families and the sacrifices they make. Firefighter Matt Gregory, speaking behalf of the Uxbridge Firefighters Association, reminded the crowd that the local volunteers are "your friends, your neighbours."
Northern Trails Vocal Connection performed a song called Carry On, created by local composer Jenna Lawrence-Smith, and a video featuring long-time retired veterans of the fire department.
Former fire chief Phil Alexander gave a brief history of the fire department and current chief Mike McDonald talked of the present day operations. Following the presentations, it was time to unveil the life-sized statue, created by Port Perry artist Tyler Briley.
Briley, a former firefighter who proudly wore his old Scarborough fire department uniform, was helped by all the dignitaries to pull the black drape off the statue to give the public its first look at the memorial. The statue, designed to honour those who have died while active members of the department, as well as those who have served and continue to serve, combines the look of the present day firefighter with replicas of some of the antique equipment they used. The memorial includes the names of members of the department who died while still on active service: Steve Koogje (2017), Bob Maynard (1982) and Nathanial Case (1886).
Following the unveiling, everyone was invited for refreshments and children were given toy plastic fire helmets. Among those attending the ceremony was Dianne Homan, who served for years as the fire department's unofficial traffic director. When the fire department was still quartered in the Bascom Street building, Homan would run out of her shoe shop on Brock Street any time the fire siren sounded and make sure the fire trucks could exit the area without being blocked by traffic.