HILLSBORO, Oregon — Forest Grove Fire & Rescue held a funeral procession and public memorial service on Friday morning for Captain Rick Ilg, travelling from the Forest Grove Fire Station to Hillsboro Stadium, where Ilg received full funeral honors in front of an audience of fellow first responders.
Ilg was "an influential part of Washington County's emergency medical services, with decades of service to both Metro West Ambulance and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue," the department said in a press release.
Ilg passed away on Sept. 12 following a battle with brain cancer, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue said. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Firefighters have a higher average risk of cancer due to exposure to carcinogens in burning homes, according to Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, and it is therefore considered a line of duty death if an Oregon firefighter dies from cancer caused by workplace exposure.
"Tragically, Rick joins a growing list of (Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union) members and firefighters across the country who have died in the line of duty from occupational cancer," said Rocky Haynes, president of the Tualatin Valley Firefighter's Union.
The procession of about 20 vehicles left the Forest Grove Fire Station just after 9 a.m. and made its way east through Forest Grove and Hillsboro with emergency lights flashing, then turned north and arrived at the stadium.
Ilg's family, friends and fellow firefighters spoke at the memorial service, recounting his early life, his service as an EMS worker and a firefighter and his dedication to saving lives.
David Nemeyer, a division chief at Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, said Ilg worked with many of the paramedics and firefighters in attendance and his legacy will endure through the stories about him that those colleagues share with the next generation of firefighters in Forest Grove.
Ilg's name will be added to International Association of Firefighters Fallen Firefighter memorial in Colorado Springs, Colo., in September 2022, Haynes said.
The ceremony concluded with a traditional bell-ringing ceremony to symbolize the completion of Ilg's duty.