Memorial procession for fallen firefighter Devyn Gale set for Revelstoke this weekend

There’s sure to be a significant turnout for a memorial procession and service to honour Devyn Gale on Saturday.

The 19-year-old BC Wildfire Service summer firefighter died after she was struck by a falling tree while working near Revelstoke on Thursday, July 13.

Saturday’s proceedings will begin with the procession at 12:45 pm, which will travel from the Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services building to Revelstoke Secondary School (RSS).

According to the BC government, it will include her BCWS colleagues, a Colour Party, an Honour Guard and representatives from various first-responder agencies.

After the procession, a memorial service for Gale will begin at RSS at 1:30 pm.

Tributes have poured in for Gale since her tragic death last week, including one from UBC Okanagan where she was a third-year nursing student.

Dr. Lesley Cormack, UBCO’s principal and vice-chancellor, said the entire campus is devastated.

“The fact that Deyvn was putting herself on the frontline to fight wildfires and also working towards a nursing career on the frontline of our healthcare system speaks to the strength of her character,” she said. “We will all need to take time to mourn her loss.”

Devyn had strong connections with her fellow students and her instructors,” added Dr. Marie Tarrant, dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development. “Her loss is deeply felt in our School of Nursing community and beyond.”

An even more emotional tribute was posted by the BCWS over the weekend, calling Gale a trusted colleague, loving friend, beloved sibling and cherished daughter.

“She personified the iconic Reds and Blues of wildland firefighting in British Columbia: she was bravery, grit, hard work, determination, leadership and selflessness. She was one of us. She was the heart of us,” the BCWS post said.

“It is hard to articulate the connectedness of a community like ours. We work shoulder to shoulder for long hours in extremely challenging circumstances. Those experiences change you, they connect you, they sustain you.”

It also included a message from Gale’s family, Philomena, Graham, Nolan and Kayln, about their sister:

Devyn was an amazing sister and loving daughter. She was so kind and thoughtful. She was the most sensible among us three siblings. She was careful, considerate and hard working. She was smarter and better at what she did than what she gave herself credit for. Devyn was an outstanding third-year firefighter, a strong leader among her peers in wildfire and was on her way to becoming a compassionate nurse. We are so grateful to have grown up beside her. We are grateful for everything she's done for us and others, completely out of kindness with no expectation for reciprocation. She truly didn't deserve this. We love you Devyn and we hope you are okay wherever you are now.