LACFD: In Memoriam – Fire Captain David Bailey

In Memoriam – Fire Captain David Bailey

The Los Angeles County Fire Department family is mourning the loss of one of our own this week – Fire Captain David Bailey who sadly passed away on April 3 while in the performance of his duties. Bailey, 50, suffered a cardiac arrest at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday while engaged in physical fitness activities at his work location of Camp 14 in Santa Clarita. Bailey's enthusiasm for his work, as well as his attention to detail, was well-known among those he worked with. "Dave was a great guy to be around," says Assistant Fire Chief Gerald Cosey of Division V. "He was full of energy and liked to handle business." An 18-year member of our Department, Bailey was actively involved in the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Hazmat communities. In fact, as the Red Team Hazmat Manager on our Department's California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) team that provides search and rescue support to national and international disasters, Bailey was an integral part of the team's deployments to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami in 2011. "He was a multi-talented guy," says Battalion Chief Larry Collins, who worked with Bailey on these deployments. "He was a very well-rounded firefighter who had a lot of specialty skills and did them all well. He always had a great outlook and attitude. He really loved his work; for him, it was an adventure every day." Agrees Battalion Chief Patrick Rohaley, another CA-TF2 member, "Dave always had a great attitude. He made sure that when we did something we did it right and to the best of our abilities. He contributed greatly to the team both on deployments and here at home in maintaining our readiness in activities." This sudden and tragic loss of a valued and respected member of our Department has triggered an outpouring of support from the fire agency community, as well as the public. After Bailey's untimely passing was announced on our Department's Facebook and Twitter sites, condolences immediately began popping up from members of the online community. "Our sincere condolences to the family of Captain David Bailey and the Los Angeles County Fire Department," wrote the Monterey County Fire Training Officers Association. "Rest easy, brother. Prayers to the Bailey family and to the LACoFD," posted one resident. "Thank you for your service. Rest in peace, sir," wrote another. Bailey lived in Acton and is survived by his wife, Lisa. They have no children. Source:  Los Angeles County Fire Department  - Link

California Fire News 2011 

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