Late Gresham firefighter 'going to make change'

GRESHAM, Ore. (KOIN) -- Though it was a formal ceremony at Gresham Fire Station 71, it felt a bit like a family reunion.

Friends, family and State Sen. Chris Gorsek were there to honor Brian Flowers, who spent 15 years with the Gresham FD before he lost his battle to leukemia linked to firefighting in 2023. Gorsek was there to officially present the highest honor the Oregon legislature can bestow -- a unanimous resolution honoring Flowers' life and legacy.

Elsie Flowers, holding back tears, is calling for better protections and support for firefighters, especially around cancer risks on the job.

"There will be good out of this. Brian is going to make change," she told KOIN 6 News. "There has to be because the loss is too great. And I just can't let that go."

Gorsek said he's working on new laws for the next legislative session.

"A firefighter should not be exposed to a cancer-causing agent," he said.

For Elsie, the worry is now twice as heavy. She lost her husband to occupational cancer, and now their son, Darian, faces the same dangers on the job.

Darian Flowers followed his dad's footsteps as a Gresham firefighter and EMT. He started his career just weeks before his dad's cancer diagnosis and never got a chance to work with him.

"It would have been a lot of laughs because he's a very funny dude, my dad was. And they say they see a lot of that in me," Darian said.

He understands the inherent dangers of being a firefighter, including the long-term implications.

"We can do our best to clean ourselves off but you can only do so much with what you're given," he said.

While the name of Brian Flowers is now part of state history, his family hopes his legacy will protect the next generation.

It's been nearly two years since he died. But for Elsie, the pain remains fresh.

"Being here I think I'm trying to balance the pride and honor of Brian and grief," she said.