Firefighters, families and local officials gathered at Waterside Cemetery on June 8 for the annual Firefighters Memorial Sunday ceremony, remembering fallen first responders while addressing the growing threat of occupational cancer in the fire service.
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland delivered remarks emphasizing the silent dangers firefighters face long after leaving the profession. He highlighted how toxic chemical exposure during firefighting leads to significantly higher cancer rates among firefighters compared to the general public.
“Cancer has taken many of our friends, mentors, and brother and sister firefighters,” Gilliland said. “Cancer is in the soot on our skin, the smoke in our lungs and the gear we trust with our lives.”
The ceremony included an invocation by Monsignor Timothy Moran, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, a tribute from Mark Tentindo of Local 2043, and speeches from Select Board member Erin Noonan and state Rep. Jenny Armini. Select Board member Alexa Singer also attended the solemn observance.
Traditional memorial elements included the laying of a memorial wreath by Gilliland, the ringing of the Last Alarm by Lt. Adam Hatfield and the playing of “Taps” by John Collins. Lt. Liam Gilliland led the “Firefighters Prayer.”
Chief Gilliland called for stronger protections, better decontamination protocols, early cancer screenings and expanded support for firefighters facing cancer diagnoses.
“Let us not forget honoring our fallen means doing everything we can to protect the living,” he said.
