Showing posts with label Firefighter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Firefighter. Show all posts

SBFD: Retired San Bernardino City Firefighter Norm Walters Memorial Service #CaFire

SBFD to Hold Memorial Service for Firefighter Walters

Norman Walters
January 8, 1959 - August 28, 2013 


Norm Walters, a retired San Bernardino City Firefighter, passed away at Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta California on August 28, 2013 due to complications caused by cancer.

Norm Walters grew up in Jacksonville, Florida where he attended Smart Pope Livingston Elementary School and graduated from Rivault High School. After graduating from high school Norm went on to Jr. College and worked briefly for Sears and UPS in Florida.

In 1980 Norman came to California to visit his sister Linda. After a short time Norman decided to take up permanent residence on the west coast. Continuing his education at Victor Valley College, Norman completed his Emergency Medical Technician training and began his path towards a fire service career. While attending classes in the high desert, he joined the Victorville Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.

Norm joined the San Bernardino City Fire Department in 1983. The following year he completed the Paramedic program at Crafton Hills College, where he also earned his Associates Degree in the Arts. In addition to serving the citizens of San Bernardino as a Firefighter and Paramedic, Norm furthered his education in the medical field by graduating from the College of the Desert’s Nursing program. He humbly worked for the California State prison systems as a Registered Nurse.

Norman Walters served the San Bernardino Fire Department for over 27 years, retiring in December of 2010. During that time he received numerous accommodation letters from both the department and citizens. Firefighter Walters earned the fire department’s “Distinguished Service Award” for courageous acts on emergency incidents in 1988 and 2002.

Norm will be remembered for his great sense of pride serving as a San Bernardino City Firefighter and his compassion for those in need. He was known for his humility, subtle humor and extremely high level of intelligence.

His sisters - Irma Walters, Linda Ballentine and adored nephew Marcus Walters, survive Norman.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 6, 2013 at The Rock Church in San Bernardino at 10am. The San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 891 Honor Guard and Pipes and Drum Corps will honor Norman and his family at the ceremony.  

---------------------------------------------
Labels: , , , , , ,

LODD: Oregon Firefighter Water Tender Rollover Big Windy Complex News Release

Big Windy Complex - Urgent Press Release

Tuesday, August 6, 2013 – 3:00 p.m.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of a firefighter fatality that occurred this morning at approximately 7:20 a.m. on the Big Windy Complex. The firefighter, 19 year old Jesse Trader, was returning from the evening shift when the water tender he was driving hit the embankment and rolled over on the Bear Camp Road near Soldier Camp. Firefighters in vehicles driving behind Jesse immediately stopped to assist. An advanced life support ambulance arrived on scene within minutes and life flight was quickly launched; however, all efforts to save Jesse were unsuccessful.

The loss of Jesse affects many people in so many ways. From the immediate suffering experienced by Jesse’s family and loved ones, to his close friends and the local communities who know and love him, to the firefighters who were the first responders, as well as the larger firefighting community; we are grieving for our fallen comrade. Please keep Jesse’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

An accident investigation team from Josephine County and cooperating law enforcement agencies arrived on scene shortly after the accident. Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency for public notifications. All agencies associated with the Big Windy Complex will be assisting and cooperating in all manners possible regarding this tragedy while continuing with the suppression work on the Big Windy Complex.

A press conference is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. today at the Grants Pass Interagency Office at 2164 NE Spalding Avenue in Grants Pass.

Incident: Big Windy Complex Wildfire
Related Information
Big Windy Complex Urgent News Release (PDF 118 kb)
Source: http://wildfirestoday.blogspot.com/2013/08/oregon-firefighter-lodd-big-windy.html
---------------------------------------------
Labels: , , , , , ,

Coffee Break Discussion: Police Fire and EMS On Scene Who’s The Boss?

Police and EMS: Who’s the Boss?

A look behind and beyond the conflict between EMS and law enforcement

All Articles

The Legal Guardian 
by David Givot
My new client sat across from me in my office. He was more frustrated than nervous. He clearly understood the situation and why he was in it, but he was still kicking himself for letting it happen.
“It was a weekend night, like any other weekend night. There was really nothing unusual about the call,” he said calmly, and then went on to tell the rest of the story.
He and his EMT partner had been called out to the scene of a DUI stop by a police agency. When they arrived, one officer told them that they called because the guy seemed altered and they wanted the paramedic to “clear him for booking.” RED FLAG!
Knowing that “clearing for booking” was not even a legal activity, he continued with his regular assessment. Based on his objective findings, the paramedic believed the patient was not under the influence; rather, he was likely having a CVA or some other neurological problem and he directed that the patient be prepared for transport.
“You’re not transporting him. He’s just drunk!” one of the officers told him.
My client was surprised at that response. He made every effort to explain the potential seriousness of the medical situation, but the officers on scene were not having any of it.
Despite the absence of any odor of ETOH and despite the 0.00% reading on the Preliminary Alcohol Screening device, it was the officer’s untrained medical opinion that the patient’s altered mental status was the result of intoxicants and not a stroke.
To make a long story short, the argument ended when the officer told my client that the argument was over and the suspect, not patient, was going to jail, not the hospital.
Why did this happen?
Now, I know what you are thinking: why didn’t the paramedic get his supervisor involved or call the base hospital to speak with the officer or something?
The answer is as simple as it is sad. He was six months out of paramedic school and the only paramedic on scene and he just didn’t know better.
Like many others, he was trained that the most senior medic is the highest medical authority on scene, but the one with the gun is ultimately in charge. So, believing that was true, he did what he was told.
Of course, ten minutes later, when the patient lost consciousness altogether, another paramedic unit was called out and the patient was transported to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he was indeed having a stroke.
Read more Cal Fire News »
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

#MCP: Camp Pendleton Fire Department sad to announce Firefighter Mike Lee Engine Company 2 passed away unexpectedly yesterday #CaFire

 Firefighter Lee collapsed suddenly while walking with his son near their home. He was just 44 years old. 

Mike gave almost 25 years of his life in service as a firefighter. He also gave of his spare time as member of the Department's Honor Guard and as the caretaker for our vintage Seagrave ladder truck, maintaining it and driving it in parades and other public events.

His fellow firefighters are now helping his family coordinate services, which will take place next week.

It is fair to say that he was one of the kindest and gentlest individuals among us, and a loyal friend. Godspeed, Mike.

More Info: Camp Pendleton Fire Department Facebook 
---------------------------------------------
Labels: ,

LODD Memorial: California Son And Arizona Firefighter Remembered This Morning... #CaFire

Arizona Firefighter Remembered as "Proud Protector of Life"

Kevin Woyjeck, son of an LA County fire captain, was one of 19 firefighters killed during a June 30 wildfire in Arizona


One of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots team killed last month in an Arizona wildfire was remembered at his funeral service Tuesday as a "courageous" firefighter devoted to protecting others.

Kevin Woyjeck, the 21-year-old son of Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Joe Woyjeck, and 18 hotshots team members died June 30 when they were over-run by the Yarnell Hills fire northwest of Phoenix. Hotshots crew member Brendan McDonough, the lone survivor of the firefight, was at Tuesday's service at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Hundreds of fire service personnel and member of other public safety agencies joined Woyjeck's family and friends at the service.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, who worked with Woyjeck's father, spoke at the service.
"Each of us has a script when we're born," said Osby. "Kevin Woyjeck's script brought us here.
"Kevin knew what he wanted to do. He exhibited the courage, strength, bravery and the sacrifice to become a proud protector of life and property. He was just like his father. He was caring, committed, fun-loving, courageous, inspirational -- a person of character and an awesome young man."
Bobby and Maddy Woyjeck, his younger siblings, also spoke about their memories of an "amazing" brother. A gallery of images dating from Woyjeck's childhood was presented on a monitor.
"We were supposed to do a lot of things together," said Maddy. "He was an amazing person on the inside and out. Everybody fell in love with that kid because he was just so fun to be around.
"I just wanted him to see me graduate -- that's the biggest thing. He meant the world to me."
Bobby Woyjeck told mourners that wherever his brother went, he followed. The two brothers spoke together on the phone and Bobby visited him in Arizona.
"He was my best friend," said Bobby Woyjeck.
About two hours before the service, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies assigned to Lakewood Station concluded a 24-hour memorial for Woyjeck. Deputies stood guard in full uniform outside Los Angeles County Fire Station No. 23.
Woyjeck's remains arrived in Southern California last week after a public memorial for the 19 victims in Prescott that was attended by many of the people the firefighters died trying to protect.
Capt. Woyjeck was embraced by other firefighters at the July 9 memorial, during which the lone surviving member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots recited the Hotshots Prayer. Mourners inside Prescott's Tim's Toyota Center and those in an overflow viewing area set up outside in front of a big-screen monitor stood in ovation as firefighter Brendan McDonough approached the stage.
Vice President Joe Biden and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer spoke at the service.
Woyjeck's remains were escorted with full honors by the Los Angeles County Fire Department to Forest Lawn mortuary in Long Beach. Internment will follow Tuesday's service in a private ceremony.
Woyjeck began his firefighting career as a Fire Explorer, part of a training mentorship program. He worked as an emergency medical technician. He worked as a wildland firefighter in South Dakota before joining the Granite Mountain team in April.
Two of Kevin Woyjeck's uncles also were firefighters.
The June 30 deaths marked the deadliest wildland fire since 25 firefighters were killed as they fought the 1933 Griffith Park fire.
---------------------------------------------
Labels: , , , ,

Memorial Service for 4th generation firefighter Sean Misner, one of the fallen Granite Mountain Hot Shot firefighters Monday, July 15, Santa Ynez High School #PRESCOTT19

Memorial Service for Sean Misner, one of the fallen firefighters of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots will be held Monday, July 15

Location: Santa Ynez High School, 2975 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. 

Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged.
Sean Misner, 26, was a 4th generation firefighter who’s Uncles Tim and TerryMcElwee, grandfather Herb McElwee, and great grandfather Chester McElwee were all in the fire service.  His cousin Travis McElwee also worked with Sean at the Prescott Fire Department.
---------------------------------------------
Labels: , , ,