Died as a result of smoke inhalation suffered at a fire May 1, 1977. The men of Number 6 Station under the direction of Captain Raymond Dunning responded to a call for a fire at Sunshine Cleaners on Coventry Road. On arrival Captain Dunning without the aid of breathing apparatus entered the scene where plastic containers were burning. These containers were giving off noxious fumes (Hydrogen Chloride) from the burning containers, which contained sodium hydrochloride bleach.
Upon his return to the station Captain Dunning became very short of breath and suffered severe chest pains. Captain Dunning’s health continued to deteriorate until his death on June 1, 1977

The tireless work of the Ottawa Fire Fighters Association should be recognized at this point. The Association petitioned the Workers Compensation Board to acknowledge the death as work related. The Workers board did agree with the Association arguments and this was a landmark decision as the first case recognized in the Province of Ontario. The Ottawa Fire Fighters Association were instrumental in other work related ailments being recognized and have been a leader in fire fighter safety for many years,


The Dunning family has a very long a dedicated service with the Ottawa Fire Department. Ray’s father Carl and uncles Cedric as well as grandfather Louis were all members of the department.
His cousin Stuart was a Platoon Chief with the department.