Firefighters Mass commemorates first responders’ dedication

Fire trucks line the street in front of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston prepare to hoist a large U.S. flag in front of the Co-Cathedral at a past Firefighters Mass. This year the Mass is set for Oct. 13. The annual Mass features a tribute to firefighters who have died in the last year that includes a reading of their names accompanied by the ringing of a memorial bell.  (Herald file photo)HOUSTON — Most of the 70-plus firefighters who will be memorialized at this year’s Firefighters Mass on Oct. 13 served 20 or 30 years before retiring, many living into their 80s. But that should not belie the job’s dangers, with many passing at earlier ages from breathing problems, cancer and cardiac arrest, officials said. 

Father Jeffrey Bame, rector of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston, will celebrate the Firefighters Mass at 11 a.m. that Sunday, Oct. 13. 

Helping to organize the service is the St. Florian Society, named after the patron saint of firefighters, St. Florian, a Roman military officer who organized one of the first fire brigades. Legend says that during his life, St. Florian put out a massive fire with only one bucket of water, saving a village from ruin before being martyred by the emperor for his Christian faith. 

The Mass is open to the public and is also an opportunity for all active and retired firefighters to pray together, honor those who have passed away, and share fellowship with families. 

During the Mass, a special tribute will be given to firefighters who have died in the previous year. The tribute will include the reading of the names of deceased firefighters, which will be accompanied by the ringing of bells. 

This tribute includes Jody Harris, who served for more than 35 years with the Houston Fire Department, retiring in 2009 with the rank of captain before passing at 75 this April after a long battle with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 

Also on the tribute list is William “Butch” Leo Edmonds Sr., who passed away this May at the age of 82. He began his firefighting career in the Houston Fire Department in 1963, following in his father’s footsteps. In 2001, Edmonds was the Memorial Fund Committee chair and served a vital role in building the Houston Fire Department Memorial for fallen firefighters. 

District Chief Charles Julian, who retired after 45 years of service, passed away last November. The family of Julian, a member of the Houston Black Firefighters Association, celebrated his funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church. 

John P. Norris Jr. died suddenly last November at 55 after working a structure fire. He served both the Houston Fire Department and the Forest Bend Fire Department in the Webster area, where he served as a paramedic, airport rescue, wildland firefighter and up to the rank of chief.

At the time of his death, his family asked in lieu of flowers to donate to the Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force in Norris’ name to support its work of assisting families and agencies that suffered the loss of a first responder. 

Robert Wayne Ebert, 60, passed away in December 2022 after retiring from the Texas City Fire Department as a captain, paramedic and EMS administrator with 30 years of service.  

According to a Firefighter Fatality Study for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as a group, firefighters are more likely than other American workers to die of a heart attack while on duty.  Firefighters are more likely to suffer a heart attack while performing support duties working on the ground at fires, while in the fire station, or during training exercises. In contrast, deaths due to traumatic injuries are more likely to occur while mitigating or responding to an incident. 

As part of the Firefighters Mass, fire trucks will line the street in front of the co-cathedral with ladders hoisting a large U.S. flag.