Photo by Eric Ayres Capt. Andy Joltes, Fire Engineer Harry Myers and Capt. Steven Moore of the Wheeling Fire Department, from left, perform duties in the honor guard during the annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday at Heritage Port.

WHEELING — Members of the Wheeling Fire Department gathered at Heritage Port on Wednesday to remember city firefighters who over the years have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Ceremony took place once again on Oct. 29 — and members of the department stressed that they hope to never change the date of the yearly remembrance.

Officials hold the ceremony on Oct. 29 each year to commemorate the most recent line-of-duty death for the fire department. It was on that date in 1991 that Assistant Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Foster died while battling a structure fire in Center Wheeling.

Wednesday’s ceremony marked the 34th anniversary of Foster’s death, and officials stressed that they hoped his name will be the last one to be inscribed on the Fallen Firefighter Memorial that stands at Heritage Port.

“Every year on this date, on the anniversary of losing Assistant Chief Foster, we gather to reflect on those that we have lost in the line of duty throughout the history of the Wheeling Fire Department,” said Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier.

A total of 11 names are listed on the memorial below the bronze “Fallen Hero” statue at Heritage Port. The names of the fallen firefighters date back to the infancy of the department in the mid-1800s.

“This day reminds us that firefighting is a dangerous profession and that tomorrow is not always promised,” said Capt. Bob Heldreth of the Wheeling Fire Department. “As firefighters, we must stay vigilant physically, mentally and spiritually to safeguard our future.”

An honor guard read the names of each fallen firefighter in the city, followed by the tolling of a bell after each name.

In addition to Foster, the fallen Wheeling firefighters were Firefighter Thomas McCue, 1868; Firefighter Bartholomew Link, 1868; Firefighter Charles Carrell, 1869; Capt. Charles Ferguson, 1914; Engineer William M. McGee, 1920; Assistant Chief Charles “Cap” Beiswenger, 1932; Engineer Wilbert “Red” Nolan, 1955; Assistant Chief John C. Donovan Sr., 1956; and Capt. Vincent Greene, 1970.

Also listed on the Fallen Firefighter Memorial are retired badge numbers of its members. Only two badge numbers have been retired – #4 in honor of Foster and #11 in honor of those who have suffered presumptive line of duty deaths as a result of cancer.

Officials noted that the needs of firefighters go well beyond the scenes of service calls.

While the ceremony was a solemn reflection in honor of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the community, fire officials noted the many steps forward the department has taken to ensure that the firefighters know that the community is there to support them, as well. Members of the department’s newly formed chaplain corps – a group of clergy dedicated to the spiritual wellbeing of its ranks and the citizens they serve – took part in the ceremony. Officials also noted another positive addition to the Wheeling Fire Department – the recent opening of its new, state-of-the-art headquarters at 1700 Wood St. in East Wheeling.

“This facility was planned by a committee of firefighters to keep the wellbeing of firefighters in the forefront,” Blazier said. “For years, we thought that the biggest enemy of firefighters’ lives were the dangers that we faced while fighting fires. Now we realize that although fighting fires is dangerous, firefighters also face health related problems as well as mental wellbeing issues related to our duty.”

In the new fire headquarters, firefighters returning from a structure fire or other incident have the ability to de-contaminate themselves and their equipment, separating contamination from their living areas at the station.

“This helps to limit the exposure of carcinogens to our firefighters,” Blazier said.

The new headquarters also has a fitness facility where the members can work to keep physically fit and protect their cardiovascular health, as well.

Another piece of the wellness puzzle is good training, officials noted. Wheeling recently hosted fellow firefighters from around the state who participated in the bi-annual West Viriginia Professional Firefighters training seminar. Lt. Tom Haluscak – president of Wheeling Professional Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 12 was among those who attended.

Haluscak said the professionals who participated in the training not only honed skills in different firefighting and lifesaving scenarios, but also focused on sharpening other important tools for the trade. A highlight centered on ways first responders can deal with tragedies, such as one experienced locally with the deadly flood disaster that claimed nine people’s lives along Little Wheeling Creek in Triadelphia.

“It helped us to prepare mentally if something of this magnitude were to happen again,”

Haluscak said during an emotional speech. “Firemen are too proud a creature. We don’t preach how hard our job is, and we don’t ask you to sympathize for what we endure both physically and mentally.

“We simply want you to know that we are ever learning, ever training and always prepared so that when your worst day happens and you’re running from danger, we’ll be running towards it to protect you and your loved ones in all corners of this wonderful state we live in.”