I can't give details, nor do I have many, but yesterday a firefighter was injured on the fire line here and passed away this morning. My thoughts are with his family and friends and those who were with him while he was fighting one of hundreds of fires on the MEU Complex I am on.
Poem I found online, author unknown....
I Am Your Firefighter
I AM YOUR FIREFIGHTER
I spend 1/3 of my life away from my family, so I can protect you and your family.
I love you, even though I have never met you.
I would gladly die to save your life, or the lives of your neighbors.
I gladly risk injury to protect your property.
I love my life.
I chose this life above anything else in the world.
I am your firefighter.
When something terrible happens in your life, you can always call me.
I am waiting for that call. It is what I live for.
I will come flying to your home or business to assist you in any way I can.
My food can wait to be eaten.
The training class I am taking can be paused, because you called.
I am your firefighter. I hurt. I cry. I laugh. I am human.
I learn to cope with neglect from you.
I have so many things to offer, but somehow I get lost in the political shuffle.
I work, and think, and try to come up with ways to make your community better, safer.
I put all those things aside the minute the Alarm rings, and you need me.
I am your firefighter.
The call comes in… “There’s smoke in my bedroom”I am on the way.
Only 3 of us on this fire truck, but we’ll do our best.
Blackness is all you see, choking, blinding, smoky, blackness.
A hand is touching you. It is rough and bulky, covered in a glove.
I hand you to my partner, then search on for someone else.
I am your firefighter.
Sunlight breaks on your face as you leave the burning structure.
Safe. Safe. Safe. Breathe the clean air. Breathe
You hear a loud mechanical wailing coming from the building.
The one who brought you out, yells, “If we only had more men” and rushes back in.
Now he is dragging another who looks like him out the door.
I am that firefighter.
You watch as the fire truck drives slowly by.
The wailing siren breaks the quiet morning.
The slow parade of firefighters marches past you.
The flag above you waves softly in the breeze, but halfway down.
The flag over me is still.
For you see…I was your firefighter.
Don’t cry for me. Cry for my wife.
Don’t pray for me. Pray for my brother firefighters who need the strength.
Don’t let my life be in vain. Do all you can to help my Fire Department.
Don’t say “What a tragedy”,
Thank God another life was saved.
You see, I chose this life.
It is all I have ever wanted.
I am A Firefighter!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
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20 comments:
What happens to one effects all.
Reality throws mortality in one's face when you least expect it. You never forget those incidents, they lay dormant and come out at any given time for as long as one lives.
An incredibly sad event.
Many prayers to all those on the line and to those that have gone beyond it.
Sense of flight it is splendid!
And to that you do this is very important for all
You are the best!
PS: Sorry my not very much English
Thank you, Desire!
Jerry Search, LBFD Retired
Desiree,
The poem you posted about a firefighter is very moving. I'm so sorry to hear that one of your fellow firefighters died fighting the same complex of fires that you are battling. I know that makes it especially difficult for you.
CNN said this on its website:
"With firefighting resources stretched thin early in the fire season, counties have been recruiting volunteer firefighters to help with smaller blazes.
On Thursday, volunteer firefighter Robert Roland, 63, died in a Mendocino County hospital after collapsing while battling lightning-sparked blazes in the area, north of the San Francisco Bay region. It was the first reported death of a firefighter this season, and the governor ordered flags at the Capitol to fly at half-staff."
I'm surprised that someone of that age would be fighting fires.
The entire article can be found at: CNN
Fly safely,
Richard
Desiree,
Here is the best article I've seen on the firefighter who died: Firefighter dies
I hope you had as good a Fourth of July as possible under the circumstances--and that I didn't make you feel worse with these articles.
Richard
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?project=fas
Desiree,
I'm so sorry to hear about your fellow firefighter losing his life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the many other firefighters out there fighting fires.
Desiree,
Reading your post from the fireline on the American river complex, very moving post. Thanks for your work and very sorry to hear of the loss to the community.
Raleigh
American River Hotshots
I am discovering your blog just right now! And what a bad news!
All guys and girls on the other side of the Atlantic ocean, please fly safe and my thought are with you during these sad times!
Francis, a water bomber in France
Hello,
I just discovered your blog a couple of minutes ago and what a bad news!
all my thought are with you during these sad times!
Fly safe
Francis, a water bomber in France
Desiree, I hope you are still safe. Your photographs and stories of fighting these fires are amazing. I wonder if you are still based up the hill at Ells Field. Down in Willits, I've looked up with wonder at the choppers flying back and forth, seemingly so small, but with huge loads of help on a dangerous job.
My mother's home is on the edge of the Navarro Fire, and was lucky to be a staging site. It's contained now, and we are so grateful. I put some snapshots of that in my Willits Photo Overflow blog, linked in with my Willits Daily Photo blog, associated with posts labeled "fire".
Stay safe. I hear a chopper overhead right now...
Desiree,
Hope you are having as much fun fighting fires as you were having doing lift jobs.
Last year when you were reporting for KNBC, you did stories here in Long Beach two nights in a row. The first was about a car that was abandoned in the surf. The next night was a fire in the Galaxy Tower on Ocean Boulevard. There was another fire in that building last week, but fortunately no one was hurt this time. Galaxy Tower fire
Richard
Hi Desiree, I found your blog via USElaine at Willits Daily Photo. And what an amazing blog this is. I've watched firefighters with awe from where I live in southern California (most recently in Sierra Madre). Your blog gives me an up-close peek.
The poem you posted is very moving. I hope many people get a chance to read it.
In scrolling down to the satellite photos, I can't imagine how all these fires can be fought, it's as if the entire northern part of the state is ablaze. A daunting task. Stay safe.
I live very close to Ells Field. My family and I have been watching you all fly in and out. I hope you have had a chance to enjoy some of the cookies that I dropped off at the heilbase. I wanted to show my appreciation to you and your fellow firefighters.Thanks again, Erin
Mendocino Lightning Complex
California Wildfires Map (5MB)
Hi Desiree,
Just wondered if you were aware of all the news people that KTLA let go on June 30? -- Walter Richards, Bill Smith, Willa Sandmeyer, and Janet Choi: KTLA lets reporters go
The news shows are sure cutting back. I read a while ago that KCBS/KCAL didn't renew the contracts of Ann Martin, Harold Greene, Jennifer Davis, and Jennifer Sabih. And Paul Dandridge is no longer there either; don't know if he quit or was let go. From what I understand CBS stations are cutting back like this all over the country.
Desiree was written about in a article last week on "Firefighter Blog." Desiree Horton Flying Fires Again
Capt. Mike says, "Desiree is the only firefighter I've read that discusses the effects of fire on wildlife," but we already knew she is kind hearted.
Cool temps. hopefully have made less work for all cutting line and doing drops.
Had a friend who flew up to Monterey and saw the smoke amongst the stratus clouds.
Sure you've heard how cool it's been down here in the valley....unreal and sweet!!
Surf competition started the other day down at Huntington. Time for you to scrap off the sex wax and get wet.
Take care, break-a-leg.
Save those pennies for that pool Desiree it'll be yours before you know it.
Des,
Very touching firefighter poem and it is always hard to hear about the loss of individuals who risk their own lives to save others. I have noticed that you have flown Engine 58. If I am not mistaken, engine 58 is based out of KRAL. Most of my recent training has been out of KRAL. By any chance were you flying 7 on Thursday?
Chopprjock, you still out there eating sand and then more sand?
Growing up at the beach I always had sand in my bed during the summer but I don't think it's the same thing in your part of the Suck.
I have a brother-in-law who just got back after three missions in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. We got major polluted when he got back. I wish you the same and soon!
Funny thing, I have a house in Van Nuys. I was cleaning the yard one day and this gentleman parks his car in front of the house, he's got on the Army digital cammo sh-t on and I call him on it, we start talking and he tells me he's flying a Blackhawk in Iraq by the end of the month. I tell him to wait as I run in the house to get him something.
My brother-in-law always sends me his gear after he uses it. It's great kit stuff made by Blackhawk.
I come running out with a tactical vest that holds (6) 15 rd. .223 mags and 2 frags. has a drag handle and the whole sha-bang. I throw in a Tanto Cold Steel blade to boot because those guys don't get anything. It was the best day I ever had doing that. Better than having my paycheck chumped by the Govt. That kid looked like a 12 year old during Christmas. He shook my hand and asked for my last name.......
Take the utmost care, keep frosty.
We are thinking of you all.
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