For some reason that is beyond me, in all the times that I passed by City Hall, I’ve never noticed the two larger-than-life bronze firefighters posted right next to the Rink of Dreams. Luckily for me, I stumbled upon the two bronze statues on a clear Saturday afternoon this weekend as I was walking to Rideau Centre. Call it good luck, good weather, or a new prescription for contact lenses, either way, I am happy I finally discovered the Ottawa Fire Fighters Memorial at 110 Laurier Avenue.
This monument was unveiled in 2009 after years of campaigning in support of this new piece of public art. The monument was constructed around two bronze figures of firefighters in action, one carrying a child, the other aiming a water hose. Black stone plaques are arranged around the two firefighter figures, with inscriptions commemorating the names of Ottawa firefighters that have fallen in the line of duty. Some of the names date back to the mid-19th century, and the early days of the Ottawa Fire Department. Interestingly, a piece of steel from the World Trade Centre towers is embedded somewhere in this monument, as a sign of solidarity to the men and women of the New York Fire Department that lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
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