Starting Friday, April 24, 2020, Port Moody Police and Port Moody Fire Rescue plan to parade past Eagle Ridge Hospital to thank health care workers only once per week on Friday nights at 7pm, but will start to perform daily random acts of acknowledgment in different parts of the city at 7pm Saturday through Thursday.

“Our support for health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is unwavering,” says Chief Constable David Fleugel. “We want to continue to show our support while engaging, from an appropriate distance, with members of our community who want to express their gratitude as well. A random act of acknowledgement could be as simple as a fire or police vehicle turning lights and siren on in front of a Fire Hall or the Public Safety Building, or near a park or a community centre. We’ll be encouraging our officers and firefighters to use their creativity.”

“The scope will be smaller, but our reach will be broader,” says Fire Chief Ron Coulson. “This change will give Police and Fire Rescue a chance to join Port Moody residents in different neighbourhoods as they honk horns, bang pots, and clap their hands to show their appreciation. If you’re nearby, please practice physical distancing by staying two metres apart from anyone who is not a member of your household. We remain steadfast in our support of our dedicated health care heroes who are risking their lives to save others in the fight against COVID-19.”

As always, the parade on Fridays will go ahead as operational priorities permit. Noise will be kept to an appropriate level out of respect for hospital staff and patients, as well as people who live in the surrounding neighbourhoods.