Two ceremonies set for firefighters lost in crash

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Two ceremonies set for firefighters lost in crash

The nine firefighters killed in the Aug. 5 helicopter crash near Junction City will be honored this weekend at two ceremonies in two states.

The U.S. Forest Service will stage a celebration Saturday at the Redding Convention Center for James Ramage, 63, of Redding. Ramage, hired in 1984 as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's first helicopter pilot, was working as a check pilot for the Forest Service aboard the Sikorsky S-61N that crashed and burned soon after lifting off from a remote mountain ridgetop.

On Friday morning, the Forest Service and the two private firms employing the deceased chopper co-pilot and seven contract firefighters will host a tribute for all nine crash victims. The tribute will be held in the Lithia Motors Amphitheater at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, Ore., just north of Medford.

Copter co-pilot Roark Schwanenberg, 54, of Lostine, Ore., worked for Carson Helicopters, the Pennsylvania-based firm that owned the downed Sikorsky.

The seven firefighters who worked for Merlin, Ore.-based Grayback Forestry Inc. were Shawn Blazer, 30, of Medford, Ore.; Scott Charlson, 25, of Phoenix, Ore.; Edrik Gomez, 19, of Ashland, Ore.; Matthew Hammer, 23, of Grants Pass, Ore.; Steven Renno, 21, of Cave Junction, Ore., Bryan Rich, 29, of Medford, Ore.; and David Steele, 19, of Ashland, Ore.

The remains of the nine killed in the crash arrived in Redding last weekend, Shasta County Coroner’s secretary Mo Hern said. The coroner’s office is trying to find dental records for the deceased men, and has sought the help of several local dentists, Hern said.

“There will be a small amount of time involved in this,” Hern said, noting that the dentists must take time out of their schedules to help identify the bodies.

Four people survived the crash and are recovering.

If you're going

What: Celebration honoring firefighter James Ramage.
When: 1:30 pm. Saturday.
Where: Redding Convention Center.
Celebration includes: fire apparatus procession, speakers, videos, fly-over tribute.

Write to them

Send cards and letters for the firefighters to Grayback Forestry, 1570 Ave. F, White City, OR 97503.

If you're going

What: Fallen firefighters Tribute.
When: 10 am Friday.
Where: Lithia Motors Amphitheater, Jackson County Fairgrounds, Central Point, Ore.
Directions: Interstate 5 to Exit 33 (Pine Street) to 1 Peninger Road.

Source: Redding.com
Scott Mobley, Record Searchlight
Originally published 12:00 a.m., August 13, 2008
Updated 12:26 a.m., August 13, 2008
Reporter Scott Mobley can be reached at 225-8220 or at smobley@redding.com

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008