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

“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.”

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.”

by Chad Klassen

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

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