Regimental funeral held for young Nova Scotia firefighter killed during training
By The Canadian Press
TRURO, N.S. – Thousands of firefighters marched through the streets of Truro, N.S., on Saturday as part of a regimental funeral for a young firefighter who died in a training accident.
Skyler Blackie had been a member of the town’s fire service for more than five and a half years.
A large funeral procession was led by a pipe band that made its way to the Colchester Legion Stadium, which can hold more than 2,000 people.
The 28-year-old was injured on March 9 while training at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School in Waverley, N.S.
The province’s Department of Labour is investigating the incident.
During the service, Blackie was described as an exemplary firefighter.
Logan Daly, a fellow firefighter and friend of Blackie, said he was inspired by his colleague.
“I looked up to him. He was my role model,” he told Global News. “When the going gets tough, let’s be more like Skyler.”
Dave Burry with the International Association of Fire Fighters said Blackie was quick to smile and very easy to befriend.
“Despite the hazards and uncertainty of his chosen profession, he did his job without hesitation,” Burry said. “Whenever you, the public, would call for assistance, he was always there.”
