Since 2017, the Toronto Professional Firefighters’ Celtic Society (TPFFCS), or Toronto Fire Celtic Society for short, a charitable organisation that raises funds for various charities while celebrating the Celtic traditions of the fire service in Canada, has been putting on an annual memorial ride from southern Ontario to Ottawa in honour of the Canadian Firefighter Memorial. The brainchild of TPFFCS President Dave Cossitt, this ride supports the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Foundation (CFFF) as a way to bring more funds, firefighters, focus, and support for the annual fallen firefighter memorial. The ride supports the CFFF’s mission to honour and remember firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty and to support their families.
Since its inception, the ride has raised $360 000.00 as of the end of last year’s ride,
in support of the CFFF while raising awareness along its over 500-kilometre route through Ontario. Hundreds of firefighters from every province and territory attend the ceremony each year in a show of solidarity and commemoration.
Metalfab is proud to be a major sponsor of this event. We became a supporter of the memorial ride after meeting the TPFFCS at the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs convention in 2018. Driven by our mutual commitment to the firefighting community and ongoing support for Camp Bucko, a camp for children recovering from burn injuries, the partnership blossomed.
Origins of the Toronto Professional Firefighters’ Celtic Society
The TPFFCS was born in 2006 of a shared bond among a group of firefighters. Recognizing the potential to make a broader impact, the founding members decided to formalise their efforts and channel their camaraderie and sense of duty into supporting firefighter and children-related causes.
The Society’s early activities included selling merchandise like t-shirts to raise funds, with the proceeds going to various firefighter-related charities. In 2015, seasoned firefighter David Cossitt took on the role of president of the Society and under his leadership, the organisation’s focus and activities expanded significantly.
David’s vision for the ride was inspired by his deep commitment to ensuring that the sacrifices of firefighters were not forgotten. His leadership transformed the Toronto Fire Celtic Society from a group of like-minded individuals into a dynamic force for good as he rallied support from across the firefighter community and beyond.
The Inspiration Behind the Memorial Ride
The idea for the Toronto Fire Celtic Society’s Memorial Ride to Ottawa came in a moment of reflection and disappointment. David Cossitt, who regularly attended the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s (CFFF) annual memorial service in Ottawa, noticed a troubling decline in attendance. The service, held to honour firefighters who had lost their lives in the line of duty, deserved a larger, more engaged turnout… especially from within the firefighting community itself.
The turning point came about nine years ago during one of these memorials. On the bus ride back to Toronto, David found himself deep in conversation with a fellow firefighter. They both shared a sense of frustration and desire to increase participation in the memorial service. The conversation sparked the idea of organising a bike ride from Toronto to Ottawa as a way to garner attention for the cause and draw more people to the memorial.
The concept of the ride was ambitious, and many thought it would be too challenging to execute. However, David was undeterred. He had seen the success of similar events, such as police memorial rides, and believed that if they could do it, so could the firefighters. With this determination, David reached out to fellow riders in Toronto, and the idea quickly gained traction.
What started as a modest initiative, with just 13 Toronto firefighters making the inaugural ride from Toronto to Ottawa, soon grew into a major event. By the second year, the ride had expanded, with 10 more firefighters from Toronto and other regions joining the cause.
As the event gained momentum, its route was modified to accommodate the increasing number of participants and to involve more communities along the way. The ride’s starting point was moved to Hamilton, and the journey was split into three segments: Hamilton to Coburg, Coburg to Kingston, and Kingston to Ottawa. This three-day, 500-kilometre ride allowed for greater engagement with local communities and gave the event a more structured and ceremonial feel.
Impact on the Community and Participants
For many community members, seeing the riders pass through their town is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by firefighters every day. It serves as an opportunity to express gratitude, not just to the riders, but to all firefighters who serve and protect their communities. The emotional support and encouragement from local residents energise the riders and create a powerful bond between the participants and the communities they serve.
The ride also helps raise awareness about the health risks firefighters face, particularly the growing concern around job-related cancers. By bringing this issue to the forefront, the Memorial Ride fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of the dangers inherent in firefighting and encourages more widespread community support for firefighter health and safety initiatives.
The Memorial Ride also serves as a form of healing for participants, many of whom have lost colleagues and friends in the line of duty. The ride offers them a chance to process their grief, to remember and honour those they have lost, and to contribute to a cause that ensures their sacrifices are never forgotten.
All funds raised by the Memorial Ride are donated directly to the CFFF, which supports the families of fallen firefighters in three main areas: operating the memorial and updating the wall with new names, providing financial support so that families of the fallen can travel to Ottawa for the memorial; and providing scholarships and bursaries to the spouses and children of the firefighters recognized by the memorial.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved, including by donation, through sponsorship, through participation, or by simply spreading the word. Every contribution helps ensure that the legacy of fallen firefighters is preserved and that their families receive the support they deserve. Visit www.celticfireride.ca today to learn more.
