St. Thomas Fire Chief Dave Gregory remembers the day like it was yesterday.
“How have 25 years has gone by?” recalled Gregory of Jan. 5, 2001.
“That tragic night at 200 Chestnut (Street) when Capt. Dennis Redmond passed away in the line of duty. It’s something we always remember.”
In a blinding snowstorm, St. Thomas Fire Fighters rushed into the apartment building attempting to rescue senior citizens and people with disabilities.
“It was horrible conditions,” said Gregory.
“It was a terrible snowstorm, and it hindered our ability to put ladders up in the snow and bring people off balconies on ladders in the middle of night. It was a challenge but it’s what we do.”
Gregory was a new employee and probationary firefighter who was called in to aid when the 102-unit apartment building caught fire. With heavy winds, the smoke quickly filled the building.
Redman, a 20-year firefighter, lost his life when he fell from the third floor trying to get air from the heavy smoke. Elderly tenant Kay Patrick also died that day.
Crews were able to save dozens of residents.
“Three firemen took me over the balcony and onto the ladder,” said Helen Austin back in 2001.
Four days after Redman’s death, first responders from across North America came to St. Thomas to pay their respects for the line of duty death.
“The funeral procession was the coldest day I can ever remember,” said Gregory.
“Walking from Williams Funeral Home to Memorial Arena with a sea of firefighters, EMS, and police behind us. There were crowds of people on the street recognizing and thanking us for what we do every day.”
Five years later, St. Thomas opened a new fire station on Burwell Road which was named the Dennis Redman Memorial Station.
“It’s a very, tough day for the department and the association,” said Darryl Smith, president of the St. Thomas Professional Fire Fighters Association.
“It’s important that we always remember the sacrifices made that day.”
After his death, an inquest was held, which led to some changes in the way departments respond and fight fires.
That day only seven fire fighters were on duty, and that was later changed.
“We have a minimum of 10 firefighters on duty at all times, and we’ve upped staff since those days,” said Gregory.
“We have four firefighters on each apparatus and added Station 2. We’ve got another fire hall to cover the north end of town and our equipment, and everything has evolved.”
Later this month, the firefighters plan to host a celebration to honour Capt. Redman.
“We have some challenge coins that we had produced,” said Gregory.
“We’re going to have members of our department, their families, and some of our retirees. We’ll have municipal leaders and host a day that remembers Captain Dennis Redman.”