A longtime New Westminster firefighter has been remembered as devoted firefighter, a loving husband, a cherished father figure, a beloved son and brother, and a dear friend to many.
Dave Phillips, who worked as a firefighter and training captain with New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, passed away Nov. 20 at the age of 63. Hundreds attended the Line of Duty Death service on Dec. 18 at Anvil Centre to honour the life of the veteran firefighter, whose life was cut short by an occupational cancer.
“We come together to remember Dave's service and his sacrifice, to support each other in our collective loss. Dave’s passing is heartbreaking. It's a stark reminder of the short- and long-term risks that firefighters face every day,” said chaplain Jeff Young. “Dave dedicated his life to helping others, and in doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice. His courage, his selflessness and his unwavering commitment to others will never be forgotten.”
Thomas Frose said his brother-in-law seemed destined for a career in firefighting.
“There's one picture, at age four, of Dave looking like he's the luckiest kid on the planet because he's behind the wheel of a big red toy fire truck,” he said.
Being hired by the fire department in August 1995 was one of the happiest days of Phillips’ life, Frose said.
Firefighters from departments across the B.C., members of the New Westminster Police Department, and City of New Westminster officials joined Phillips’ family at the formal service.
A large contingent of Phillips’ colleagues at New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services attended the service, with some serving as an honour guard and pallbearers and others paying tribute to their colleague and friend.
Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Gill said Phillips was part of a group of six recruits (who dubbed themselves the Super Six), hired in 1995.
“I spoke to Chief (Erin) Williams, who was a member of the Super Six, about their first day on the job. And as Chief Williams put it, it was obvious who the leader was in the group,” Gill said. “Some members of the Super Six even went so far as to say that if you looked up firefighter in the dictionary, there was a picture of Dave there.”
Gill said Phillips’ presence and leadership were “shining through” immediately. As was the case at Air Canada, where Phillips had worked for 17 years, he soon earned the title of Super Dave among his coworkers.
“Throughout his career, Dave epitomized what it was to be a firefighter,” he said of his selfless nature, willingness to help, and compassion for others.
During his time with the fire department, Phillips served on the union executive and was an avid supporter of the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society. He was a fixture at the society’s tree-chipping events and was known for donning a Sparky the fire dog outfit and high-fiving kids at public events.
“Shortly after 9-11, Dave made arrangements for our department to go to New York to help with recovery efforts. Again, this was an initiative that Dave led. We followed his lead. He had made arrangements for flights, for shuttles and lodging for all of us. We attended funeral services during the day and worked at Ground Zero recoveries at night,” Gill said. “This trip would be a life altering experience for all of us, and we all came back with a new perspective on life, our occupation.”
Phillips worked as a firefighter until 2014, when he was promoted to the position of New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services’ training captain.
“Dave retired from our department as one of the founding members and captain in our training division. Dave was instrumental in establishing standardized procedures for all our staff and drafting policies and procedures that we use to this day,” Gill said. “Dave's big booming voice could be heard as he trained new recruits or shift crews ... His passion for training was felt by all.”
Firefighter Joe Laing said his friend and colleague lived up to the name, Super Dave.
“If things were going to happen, Dave was going to be the first one in. If it was dirty work, he wasn't waiting for the selection process,” he said. “As a firefighter, captain and training captain, he was obsessed with knowing everything there was to know about the art of firefighting. He was not afraid to step up and lead. …This was no office job, and Dave loved it.”
The Line of Duty death service included a reading of the Firefighters’ Prayer, presentations to the family (including Phillips’ helmet and the Canadian flag that was draped over his casket at the service), and musical performances of Amazing Grace and Lament by the Surrey Pipes and Drums.
The New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services’ honour guard took part in the ceremony. The department also led a moving Last Alarm Bell ceremony in honour of their colleague.
Following the ceremony inside Anvil Centre, Phillips’ casket was carried to a hearse parked in front of Anvil Centre. Firefighters and police officers lined both sides of Columbia Street, saluting as the departing vehicle passed by.
