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More than a decade ago, retired WPFMHG Treasurer and PBF Captain, Donald
Dorsey, emerged unhurt after a violent fall through the floor while attacking a fire
at a caretaker's home in a Pittsburgh cemetary. He returned Sep. 2, 1995, to unveil and dedicate the Western Pennsylvania
Firefighters Memorial to peers who couldn't escape misfortune and died on the job.
"To them,
we say that they will not be forgotten," said Dorsey, now treasurer of Pittsburgh Firefighters Local #1 and a captain at Engine
Company 39, a few blocks from the memorial. "There have been too many guys who have died in the line of duty."
The monument, which sits in Voegtly Cemetery on publicly donated property, is a tribute to all those who have
battled flames. It was built with the sweat of artists and laborers. Broken down, its many components are individually symbolic.
A dalmation puppy, a tear dripping from his right
eye, clutches in its teeth a worn helmet from Engine Company 17. Next to it is a pair of boots and two more helmets from Engine
Company 8. This scene pays tribute to the three firefighters who died in the line of duty on February 14, 1995 and spurred
the completion of this project.
On the triangular pedestal, which represents Pittsburgh's three rivers, rests
a helmet from Engine Company 1. This was chosen because from the tiniest village to the largest city, there is usually an
Engine Company 1. This memorial was designed by volunteer fire Lieutenant and WPFM Director, Kenneth Bacha of Greensburg,
PA.
There is more, however, to the memorial than granite, bronze and the love that put it together.
It is the visual symbol of the MEMORIAL FUND that is used to support the families of firefighters who are killed in the line
of duty in the nine county area that makes up our Western Pennsylvania
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