By FireRescue1 Staff
WILMINGTON, Del. — After the death of three Wilmington firefighters, three fire stations will be renamed in their honor.
Lt. Jerry Fickes and Capt. Christopher Leach were killed while battling a rowhouse fire Sept. 24. Senior firefighter Ardythe Hope died from her injuries Dec.1.
“It will allow the public and everyone else to remember their names for years to come, that they indeed made the ultimate sacrifice,” Gabriel Pabon Jr,. fire union secretary and treasurer, told the Delaware Online.
The stations will be renamed according to where the firefighters were assigned, and a plaque with their names will be prominently placed on the front of each station.
“There is nothing we can do to bring these angels back to us and there is little we can do to fully honor their lives,” a town ordinance stated. “Although any gesture we make will pale in comparison to their heroic acts, it is incumbent upon the city to honor their memory by naming their ‘home’ fire stations after each of these heroes.”
City council members voted to rename the stations after the firefighters following a discussion to rename a station and bridge after President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Capt. Kevin Turner approached a council member and suggested the station be renamed in honor of the fallen firefighters, prompting the council to shift its decision.
“I thought, ‘Why aren’t we dedicating stations to those who made the ultimate sacrifice here in Wilmington?’” Capt. Turner said. “Firefighters give a lot more than the public realizes, whether in volunteer or career capacity.”
Ffr. Hope is the 3rd LODD resulting from the 9/24/16 Lakeview Rd Arson Fire. Hope joins her @WilmFireDept brothers Capt. Leach & Lt. Fickes. pic.twitter.com/WLlXQgKigA
— Anthony S. Goode (@AnthonySGoode) December 1, 2016
Chase Center, Saturday 12/10/16. Honoring Ardy Hope. Public viewing 10-12, service/memorial at 1pm. Reception follows at Chase Center. pic.twitter.com/G7oUwRR9pP
— Anthony S. Goode (@AnthonySGoode) December 8, 2016