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The news is now reporting one firefighter on an engine killed in San Diego. One of my best friends is an LT on an engine now assigned there. I keep checking the news every ten minutes, hoping it's not her, but feeling bad because I'm hoping it's someone else...someone I don't know.
I checked in 4 times today, trying to get sent down there. It might be nuts, but it kills me I'm not in it trying to help.
This is unreal.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/2...ire/index.html
"The firefighter who died was killed in an incident near Julian, where three other firefighters were injured, state officials said. The firefighter was from Marin County, California, said Don Strickland of the state's Office of Emergency Services. "
Well, I feel better. She's out of Santa Clara, so it isn't her. Condolences to the friends and family of the one who went down.
Already this year more than 30 firefighters have died on wildfires. It just goes up every year.
I'll fell a whole lot better if we don't lose any more.
Thanks Punani. I'll sleep better tonight.
God that sucks
I pulled this off of the Los Angeles Times website:
The dead man was identified as Steve Rucker, a firefighter and paramedic from the Marin County town of Novato. The most severely injured firefighter was identified as Novato fire captain Doug MacDonald. He was expected to recover.
My best to your friends Grrr. I still have friends unaccounted for, but I suspect that they were evacuated.
Santa Clara? Wow that's close to home for me now.
As for Steve... what can I say... THANK YOU doesn't even begin to cover it... not by a looooong shot.
From The San Diego Uniom-Tribune website:
....A Northern California firefighter was killed and three of his colleagues were hurt yesterday afternoon while battling the Cedar Fire near the former gold mining town.
The victims, all with the Novato Fire Protection District, were overrun by towering flames as they tried to protect a home on Orchard Lane near Wynola, north of Julian, said CDF Chief John Hawkins.
Steve Rucker, a 38-year-old father of two who held the rank of engineer, was the first firefighter killed as a result of the wildfires raging in five Southern California counties.
Rucker leaves his 35-year-old wife, Catherine, their daughter Kerstin, 8, and their 3-year-old son, Wesley.
Novato fire Capt. Doug McDonald, who was burned over 18 percent of his body, was hospitalized in critical condition at the UCSD Burn Center but was expected to pull through, Hawkins said.
Engineer Shawn Kreps and firefighter/paramedic Barrett Smith sustained minor burns and were expected to be treated and released, Hawkins said.
"It's a tragic event," Hawkins said. "It's a tragic event to the county of San Diego, but it's an example of the American spirit of protecting our assets."
Novato fire Chief Jeff Meston told reporters gathered in the town about 45 minutes north of San Francisco that his personnel "were operating to protect structures, and the fire's erratic behavior overran them." ....