My heartbreaks, tears flow and these words are my attempt to
find solace. Nineteen members of a
Hotshot Firefighting crew are dead in Arizona. For the last few years I was on a Southwest Area Incident Management Team. These are men I know, have eaten meals with, showered with, shared
conversation with. My job at fires as a Logistics Section chief is, at its
heart, keeping the firefighters safe: feeding them, providing for their needs,
rest, equipment, medical attention, communication, transportation, sleeping arrangements
etc.
This is intensely personal for me. Tears hover in my eyes,
the loss is profound. Each of us
in the firefighting community understands the risks, yet when a tragedy of this
magnitude occurs we are devastated. We are a family, each of us with a special
knowledge of what being a wild land firefighter really means. Today we grieve,
wonder what went wrong and think about their families’.
These are men whose lives I have protected, who take the
risks that most would shy away from to keep people, homes and communities safe.
They are also faces I know, each with a story, a community, and a dream for the
future. Their loss reminds all of
us of the fragility of life.
Men I know have died in a courageous effort, the tears flow
now. Thoughts of lives cut short; of how young these men were envelope me.
My thoughts also turn to the Command Team just assigned to
manage the fire response. Assigned just after the tragedy, they are the elite
of Fire Management, now assigned to direct a grieving force of firefighters in
containing the fire. Until this year I was a Chief Officer in this very team, I
know them well and do not envy them their task. While geography has kept me
from being on their team this year, my heart is with them in their terribly
difficult task.
And I sit, grieve, remember, wish I were there and hope that
my current team will never have to respond in such a way.
I will be burning 19 candles for 19 days in honor of their sacrifice
I will be burning 19 candles for 19 days in honor of their sacrifice
Rest in Peace Brothers, your loss is more than words can
express.
6 comments:
My deepest sympathy to you and these brave men Peter!
We send our prayers of comfort and strength to you, anx all their loved ones! May the Great Mother enfold you all in Her embrace dear brother.-Cedarfox & Lake Spirit CUUPS, Racine, Wi
This is such a tragedy. My heart is breaking for the families and for you. May peace come to you all. Sending prayers to all
My deepest sympathy and condolences Peter, to you and to everyone connected to this tragedy. It is a sad sad day indeed.
Me too. What a punch in the gut. I don't have to drive far to be in a similar mix of fuels, and I think, what if.
You have my deepest condolences.
My condolences as I'm sure they have been through my town fighting forest fires here in the Gila for which I and my community are deeply grateful
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