California Firefighters Memorial Adds 22 Names That Fell In The Line Of Duty #CaFire #CaLODDs

Sunday, October 6, 2013

California Firefighters Memorial Adds 22 Names That Fell In The Line Of Duty #CaFire #CaLODDs

Emotional Sacramento Tribute Honors Fallen California Firefighters

Governor Jerry Brown joined uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California, who gathered on the grounds of the California State Capitol Saturday (October 5) in a solemn tribute to those who have given their lives to protect the state and its citizens.

In a midday ceremony steeped in fire service tradition, California Firefighters Memorial added the names of 22 California firefighters who fell in the line of duty. The Memorial, located in the heart of Sacramento’s Capitol Park, carries the names of more than 1,250 firefighters who died in service since California became a state in 1850.

“On this solemn occasion, we’re reminded of what it takes to keep our communities safe,” said Governor Brown. “These 22 firefighters truly exemplify the meaning of service.”

“Through this memorial, 22 more names are timelessly etched on these walls in the shadow of the Capitol of this great state,” said Lou Paulson, chair of the California Fire Foundation and president of California Professional Firefighters. “They will forever be bathed in the glory of a life of duty, honor courage and sacrifice.”

View photos, read more about the Memorial and the 22 honored at the October 5 ceremony

The Saturday ceremony, conducted by the California Fire Foundation, honored eighteen firefighters who died from traumatic injuries or job-related illnesses in the past year and a half. Four others from earlier years, whose names came to the California Fire Foundation’s attention in 2013, were also added to the Memorial Wall.

The most recent California firefighter to fall in the line of duty, CAL FIRE Engineer Christopher Douglas, was struck by a vehicle and fatally injured July 5th while responding to a traffic accident. Douglas’ friend and battalion chief Mark Williams paid tribute to his fallen friend, and to the families of those whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price.

“There isn’t a day that goes by when I don't think of Christopher, and I know it is the same for each of you,” Williams told the families. “Because of this beautiful memorial, these special people will always be remembered and honored for what they gave.”

The centerpiece of the ceremony is the presentation of flags to the families, friends and representatives of every one of the individuals being honored. The tribute also features a solemn uniformed firefighter procession and the traditional “Last Alarm” ceremony, in which a fire bell is rung to signify a fallen firefighter’s final call to duty.

Unveiled in April of 2002, the California Firefighters Memorial features two stunning statues and a dramatic Memorial Wall on which the names of 1,246 fallen firefighters are engraved. The Memorial was created without any state funding through private contributions to the California Fire Foundation, most of them directly from firefighters.

The California Fire Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization created by California Professional Firefighters in 1987 whose mandate includes an array of public education and victim assistance projects. California Professional Firefighters (CPF) represents 30,000 career firefighters and paramedics. It has over 170 affiliated local unions, and is the State Council for the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Source Page: http://www.cafirefoundation.org/go/cff/media-center/news/emotional-sacramento-tribute-honors-fallen-california-firefighters/
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CFN - California Fire News 2013

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Sunday, October 6, 2013