Nick Hughes

Department of National Defence Fire Service

Nick Hughes, a Department of National Defence firefighter, was killed on 8 July 1988 while on duty at CFB Goose Bay in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.  Along with his duty crew, he was responding to a request for assistance from a Tornado fighter aircraft that was forced to engage the arrestor gear during an emergency landing.  While the Crash Rescue crew was attempting to release the aircraft from the cable, FR-3 Hughes was struck by an arrestor hook and sustained serious head injuries.  He was rushed to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Mr. Hughes was a structural firefighter with the Department of Transport at Goose Bay for many years and had joined the Department of National Defence Crash Fire Rescue Department at 5 Wing Goose Bay in April 1987.

His funeral was at St. Andrews Anglican Church and was attended by a very large number of mourners, including all local off duty firefighters in their dress uniform.
The tragedy of Nick's untimely death was felt by the entire community, and it was especially painful for those who worked so closely with him on a daily basis.  Nick had earned the respect of both rookie and veteran firefighters, and his easygoing, friendly manner, both on and off the job, endeared him to so many who were fortunate enough to have known him.  A plaque in his memory is proudly displayed in the 5 Wing Goose Bay Fire Department, and his legacy is shared with those who didn't have the pleasure of knowing with him.  Nick was married to Joan, and they had two children; son Robert and daughter Beverly.

The Department of National Defence (DND) Fire Service is comprised of 502 uniformed civilian firefighters, 498 Military firefighters, 64 Primary Reserve firefighters and another 50 contract firefighters on two bases making the Department the fourth largest Fire Service in the country. DND firefighters are cross trained in all aspects of response including Emergency Medical Responder (CRCEMR), structural firefighting, aircraft rescue and firefighting as well as other disciplines such as high angle and confined space rescue. Most large bases are manned with full time DND departments while smaller bases may only have inspectors and suppression activities are covered by local municipalities. All in all, DND firefighters provide services within Canada to seven Army bases, four Navy bases, eight Air Force bases and one training base. Additionally, firefighters man 17 ships and another 14 bases as inspectors, technical experts and instructors. Outside of Canada, firefighters provide close support to the mission in Afghanistan and anywhere else in the world when required such as previous missions in the Balkans. 

A plaque in memory of Mr Hughes is displayed in the CFB Goose Bay Fire Department.