By Scott Roblin

First responders calling national memorial grant a big step forward

Apr 3, 2018 | 4:59 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Almost six months have passed, but the pain of losing firefighter James Hargrave sticks with Cypress County Fire Chief Kelly Meyer.

Hargrave passed away on October 17 while battling the Hilda wildfires, leaving a hole in both the department and community.

“He was an amazing person,” said Meyer. “He was willing to help, always helped, a great father.”

A new federal program addressing deaths of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is hoping to ease that burned for future families mourning loved ones.

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Families of first responders who die while on the job are now eligible to participate in the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders.

The program is a one-time, tax-free grant of a maximum $300,000 that goes towards spouses, children, and family of those killed in the line of duty.

A budget committment from the Liberal Government in 2017, $80 million will be invested into the program over the next five years, with an additional $20 million each year after.

Capt. Gerald Bodnaruk with the Medicine Hat Fire Department said it’s a landmark move from the federal government.

“The International Association of Firefighters has been petitioning for about 25 years for a public safety officer benefit,” said Bodnaruk. “So, this is the result of a lot of work over the past 25 years.”

However, the Hargrave family won’t be receiving this grant, as only those who have died on or after April 1, 2018 will be eligible for the program.

Meyer said while it’s a great move for Canadian first responders and their families, he’s disappointed that the Hargraves won’t be able to take part.

“I’m glad that they’re being pro-active moving forward,” he said. “It’s too bad that it couldn’t be [retroactive], but moving forward there’s something for families.”

Along with on-duty deaths, the grant will also cover fatal psychological injuries like suicides, along with fatal illnesses developed on the job.

This comes after a recent study out of the University of Fraser Valley that found firefighters are three times more likely to die from cancer than the average Canadian.

“We accept our risk everyday that we come to work,” said Bodnaruk. “The more that we know about the presumptive illnesses that can happen as a result of our duties, we’re better able to protect ourselves.”

Medicine Hat Fire hasn’t had an on-duty death in 40 years, but the department did lose Brian Lambert in 2013 after he passed away due to cancer.

As for the Medicine Hat Police Service, there has never been an officer killed in the line of duty in the history of the city.

Insp. Brent Secondiak said there’s inherent risk when it comes to policing, ranging from a routine traffic stop to a lengthy stand-off.

“It just seems more and more that there’s more risk to the job that the first responders do every day,” said Secondiak. “So, it’s great to see that again, there is some recourse for families if something tragic were to happen.”

Well aware of the dangers, Secondiak added first responders are driven to put the community before themselves.

“It’s the feeling that you can do good and you can help people every day,” he said. “But in doing that, you don’t know what you’re going into.”

The federal government said the grant isn’t meant to serve as a life-insurance policy, but as a ‘recognition of service and sacrifice.’

Still grieving, Meyer said Cypress County Fire will continue to honour James’ sacrifice for years to come.

“He’ll always be in our hearts and in our minds, and same with the Hargrave family.”