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Date: 9/18/2019
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Fire Department hosted a ceremony concurrent with its annual 9/11 ceremony to honor the life of fallen firefighter Joe Cigal, who passed away 10 years ago.
The department revealed a display in the front lobby of its Depot Street headquarters where Cigal’s firefighting gear is hung in a locker. His gear had been hung up with the rest of the active firefighting gear since 2009 when Cigal passed away.
Firefighter Dennis Day said that the Cigal family is still part of Southwick’s fire department. “His family is still very involved. They make donations to the fire department every year. His parents are very involved in the community,” said Day.
Cigal’s memorial service continued in Boston later in the afternoon of Sept. 11. Members of the fire department travelled to Boston’s Fallen Firefighters Memorial, where a ceremonial brick was placed in honor of Cigal.
“We all know this is a dangerous occupation. Firefighter fatalities represent firefighters, fire officers to chiefs, that have succumbed from firefighter duties, cardiac events and cancer, to suicide,” said Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson in a speech at the department headquarters.
Cigal was a member of the fire department call force. Every Monday night fire crews conducted weekly training exercises. During one such exercise in May of 2009, Cigal was performing hydrant and hose line training. In the course of the exercise, Cigal fell ill suddenly and had to be transported to the hospital. His condition grew worse over the course of a few days, and he subsequently passed away at the age of 32.
“From that day 10 years ago, Joe’s firefighter gear has hung in his gear locker next to the other members, untouched and ready for the next call. It was a reminder of what can happen,” said Anderson.
Anderson said that they used the opportunity of Southwick’s 250th birthday to redesign the department lobby, where Cigal’s gear is now on display.
“In addition, through a generous donation from the Firefighter’s Association [SIC] later this afternoon a contingent from here will join the Cigal family at the State House in Boston at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial as Joe will be memorialized along with other firefighters across the state by the governor and fire officials. A brick with his name has been placed in the state’s firefighter memorial. A beautiful tribute to those that have passed,” said Anderson.