The Beiseker Fire Department is remembering Alberta Wildland firefighter, Morgan Kitchen, who passed away fighting Jasper wildfires on Aug. 3.
The 24-year-old Calgarian spent a year and a half with the Beiseker Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter until 2022, according to Deputy Chief Amanda Davies.
“When he came to us, he was young and excited to pursue all the adventure and service he could," said Davies. "While he worked with us he also joined the military as a reservist, and finally was picked up by the Royal Marines."
She remarked that Kitchen was “a foot taller than me, with an energy to match,” and was a highly respected colleague in the hall and the community.
“He didn’t have a special connection to the town to my memory, which made his contribution to our volunteer department all the more remarkable,” said Davies.
Davies remembers the excitement that Kitchen felt when he was accepted to join the Royal Marines. She was pleased to see that Kitchen had seen his time through with the marines and returned to help fight the ravaging wildfires of Alberta.
“Morgan was the best of us, and deserves to be remembered for the life he lived, and for the sacrifice he made to protect another town to which he owed nothing,” said Davies.
She added that the Beiseker Fire Department is grateful for Kitchen’s service, and she is sure Jasper is too.
“It is a privilege to serve, and Morgan exemplified that,” said Davies.
Kitchen’s celebration of life took place at Centre Street Church in Calgary on Saturday, Aug. 17. He was honoured by hundreds, including firefighters and members of the military according to reports.
The Beiseker Fire Department shared a statement on Facebook the morning of the celebration of life.
“Today in Beiseker we, as well as our crew in Jasper, took the time for Morgan’s memorial,” the post said. “Even for those who didn’t know him, sacrifice bears remembering. In that way, he becomes a part of our collective identity as a department, a fire service, and as a larger community.”
