Photo by Dylan McKenzie
Members of the Wheeling Fire Department pose in front of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial with Robert Foster’s widow Peggy. From left are Lt. Jim Morris, Fire Engineer/Paramedic and Local 12 Union President Tom Haluscak, Capt. Ray McKenzie, Fire Chief Larry Helms, Peggy Foster, Asst. Chief Paul Harto, Fire Engineer Seth Mowder, Capt. Paul McIntire, and Lt. Steve Moore.

Photos by Dylan McKenzie
Capt. Ray McKenzie of the Wheeling Fire Department Honor Guard prepares to ring a ceremonial bell at for Robert Foster on Saturday at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Heritage Port.

Photos by
Dylan McKenzie

WHEELING — Twenty-five years ago, the Wheeling Fire Department collectively suffered the loss of one of its members in a fire just yards from the front door of fire headquarters in Center Wheeling.

On Saturday morning, members of the public gathered alongside officials from the Wheeling Fire Department to honor that fallen comrade and friend.

The ceremony was held at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial near Heritage Port to honor the memory of Robert Foster, an assistant chief for the Wheeling Fire Department. On Oct. 29, 1991, Foster responded to a structure fire where an apartment was burning over a garage. After entering the building, water damage from firefighting efforts caused the garage door to close, trapping Foster inside the building. Tragically, Foster was unable to exit the building, and succumbed to the smoke from the fire. Foster was the last Wheeling firefighter to die in the line of duty, and many members of the department still remember him fondly today. Foster’s name is on the memorial at Heritage Port, where his firefighter’s ID, was placed inside the monument by his nephew before its completion.

Members of the  Wheeling Fire Department Honor Guard stood at attention as Fire Chief Larry Helms spoke about Foster and his service to the department, saying that they would never forget the service that the fallen had provided to the city and the department. Local 12 Union President Tom Haluscak and Foster’s daughter Laura Joseph placed flowers at the base of the memorial as tribute to the fallen firefighter.

“I think it’s a tribute not just to Robert Foster, but all of those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty,” said Helms.

After Helms finished speaking, Captain Ray McKenzie rang a ceremonial bell. Before the implementation of a central dispatch and electronic alarms, firefighters were alerted to calls by the ringing of a bell, calling them at all hours of the day or night to put their lives on the line for the safety of others. After the emergency was over, the bell in the firebox would ring 1-3-1, signaling all firefighters are home safe. It is now customary for firefighters to ring a bell at ceremonies such as the one on Saturday, as well as funerals.

Helms said that he was very pleased to see the people in attendance for the ceremony.

“I’m appreciative to see all of our retired members and the members of the community who have come out to remember the fallen,” said Helms.