Rob Redman prefers to celebrate his father’s life, rather than make his death a somber event.
It’s been 25 years since Capt. Dennis Redman fell to his death in the line of duty fighting a fire at 200 Chestnut St. in St. Thomas.
Rob now carries on his legacy as a firefighter in the same department.
“It’s full of ups and downs, but to be truthfully honest, I’m, you know, honored to be here with this department, following in my father’s footsteps,” said Redman.
On Monday, his colleagues invited dignitaries and fire retirees to Station 1 to remember Redman and honour his family.
“My father was a big advocate for the fire service. Everybody knows that, including myself,” said Rob, who was a paramedic for 23 years before joining the fire department. “He was a big proponent to push me in this direction. I was just a little late to the party, but to honour his legacy speaks volumes.”
There is about to become a third generation Redman. Rob’s daughter Danielle is an aspiring firefighter and was just accepted into the Lambton College Fire Program.
“Looking at the fire service, family’s a big aspect in it,” said Danielle, 19. “Just looking back at my family, my grandpa and my dad, seeing them, it’s kind of like a big drive for me to do something that I’m passionate about and follow their footsteps.”
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Redman’s passing, the administration team at the St. Thomas Fire Department (STFD) created a special challenge coin.
It has Dennis Redman’s face on one side, and the STFD logo on the other.
Rob’s family was the first to receive the coin during Monday’s ceremony.
“This commemorates his memory and will forever be on a coin that we can share and give out to members of our department, retirees and his family,” said St. Thomas Fire Chief Dave Gregory. “It’s a great honor to be able to have this coin.”
Challenge coins symbolize unity, brotherhood and service within a department fostering camaraderie and used as tokens of appreciation.
The coins will be available for sale the public at Fire Station 1 on Wellington Street.
“It’s very special memorial coin,” said Rob. “To show the dedication, the honour, the sacrifice that coin means to have his name and have his picture on that coin, speaks volumes to how this department memorializes not only its past members, but its current members and future members as well.”