Welland honours late Captain Craig Bowman with fire station naming

The City of Welland will name Fire Station #3, located at 924 Prince Charles Drive, in honour of the late Captain Craig Bowman, recognizing his years of service to Welland and his extraordinary contributions to firefighter health and safety at both the provincial and national level.

Captain Bowman dedicated his career to protecting Welland residents while also advocating for systemic change that has benefitted firefighters and their families across Canada. His leadership and determination contributed to significant legislative reforms, including Ontario’s Bill 127, known as The Captain Craig Bowman Act, which reduced the service-time requirement for presumptive coverage of esophageal cancer, and federal Bill C-24, establishing a national framework for firefighter cancer prevention and treatment. He was also posthumously awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his service and advocacy.

“Captain Bowman was more than a colleague, he was a leader, a mentor, and a friend whose courage continues to inspire us,” said Matt Richardson, acting fire chief of Welland Fire and Emergency Services. “By naming Station 3 in his honour, we are not only recognizing his service to the City of Welland, but also the lasting legacy of his advocacy. This tribute ensures that his courage, sacrifice, and leadership are remembered every time a firefighter walks through those doors.”

The decision to name Fire Station #3 reflects requests from both Captain Bowman’s family and members of Welland Fire and Emergency Services, who offered their full support and consent. The naming serves as a tribute not only to his years of service, but also to the strength of his family’s advocacy, which transformed personal loss into meaningful progress for countless firefighters and their loved ones.

Captain Bowman’s death in May 2023 was recognized as a line-of-duty death. Naming Fire Station #3 after him is a permanent reminder of his commitment to public service and his role in advancing the well-being of firefighters and their families across the province and the country.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Orlando
Communications Specialist
905-735-1700 x2133
paul.orlando@welland.ca