Nearly 1,000 firefighters from across the country will be in Coeur d’Alene for the funeral services of two of their fallen brothers Thursday and Friday. 

And more are arriving from 16 southern Idaho fire departments to work the shifts of local firefighters so they can attend the services.

Coeur d’Alene firefighter Erik Loney said the reaction of first responders to the shooting deaths of battalion chiefs John Morrison and Frank Harwood on June 29 at Canfield Mountain has been overwhelming. 

“To have our brothers and sisters come up and fill our shifts for us so we can go is an unbelievable gift,” Loney said. “We are so grateful."

“That’s why we call it a brother and sisterhood,” he added. “We take care of each other in these situations.” 

A celebration of life to honor Morrison, 52, of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, is scheduled Thursday.

A celebration of life for Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, is set for Friday. 

Both services will take place at 11 a.m. the Hagadone Event Center. They are closed to the public and no media is being allowed inside.

“Their loss is deeply felt across the fire service and among all who knew and served alongside them,” a press release said. 

Loney said a small procession will leave from English Funeral Chapel each day about 10:15 to 11 a.m., traveling south on Third Street, east on Sherman Avenue, and then on Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive to the gate at the Hagadone Event Center. 

Firefighters will arrive by vehicle and boat for the services that will feature more than 100 bagpipers and drummers from both local and nationwide fire departments. 

The public is welcome to watch the procession. 

    Harwood