Kamloops Fire Rescue captain Brian Lannon (right) is presumed drowned after diving accident in Okanagan Lake in Kelowna (Image Credit: Jamie Chase)

By Chad Klassen

DIVING ACCIDENT

Kamloops firefighter remembers friend, colleague Brian Lannon for service, generosity

May 18, 2021 | 3:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fifty-three year old Brian Lannon lived for scuba diving. According to friends and colleagues, it was his passion.

“He was really looking forward to retiring in a few years and just getting to spend more time doing probably mostly scuba diving,” said KFR colleague Jamie Chase.

Lannon was a captain with Kamloops Fire Rescue. Chase worked on his crew for a couple years. Described as a dedicated and professional, Lannon would go the extra mile for someone.

“At first glance, he might not have come across as a super outgoing person, but he was such a generous, kind-hearted guy,” said Chase. “If you earned his trust, he would do anything for you.”

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

Lannon is presumed drowned after a diving expedition went wrong. Lannon lost contact with his group close to the Bennett Bridge in Kelowna.

Chase says a group of Kamloops firefighters has been down helping out with the search.

“Since we found out on Saturday night, there’s been people down there doing whatever we could, which sometimes feels like there’s not much you do,” he said. “The RCMP are in charge of the search, the local search and rescue are doing an amazing job of trying to find him.”

Chase added, “Right now there’s a group of 21 of us down there today, walking the shoreline just in case. Just being there to support his family.”

Lannon went down to Kelowna with his wife Jennifer, who, like everyone involved, is hoping for closure.

“It’s still for everyone, and I can only imagine for his wife, it’s still a state of shock. When something happens suddenly like this, it doesn’t seem quite real,” said Chase.

Chase says he and Lannon talked a lot about sailing and scuba diving, but one story in particular stands out for Chase that speaks to how generous Lannon could be.

“One year for New Year’s Eve, we were on shift and he said ‘everyone invite your families to come to the fire hall.’ My kids were little, they came. My other guys that I worked with, their kids were there, and our wives. He and his wife then proceeded to buy this huge dinner for everyone.”