“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13 (NIV).
Sixteen hours on and eight hours off for two weeks. After three days off, back in again for another grueling half-month shift of 16 hours on, eight hours off.
That’s the schedule of 30,000 firefighters who are working to contain the wildfires that are scorching Eastern Washington. Three firefighters gave their lives in that effort.
North Kitsap and Poulsbo firefighters are among those on the front lines of fires in Eastern Washington. Meanwhile, their brethren were here protecting homes and lives after a windstorm downed trees and power lines last weekend; North Kitsap Fire & Rescue reported responding to 79 calls within a 24-hour period.
We hope for our firefighters’ safe return home. And we remember those who will not return. Nationwide, 59 firefighters died in the line of duty this year through Aug. 31. They must not be mere statistics; they were spouses, parents, siblings, friends. Each one chose a career path, knowing that it could potentially put them in danger. Each was willing to sacrifice personal safety for the safety of others.
To honor them, we list their names here (courtesy U.S. Fire Administration). May their lives, and their sacrifices, never be forgotten.
Jan. 8: Christopher A. Tindall, South Metropolitan Fire Protection District, Raymore, Missouri.
Jan. 10: Franck W. Tremaine, Jackson Fire Department, Jackson, California.
Jan. 21: Leslie “Les” W. Fryman, Rosendale Volunteer Fire Department, Rosendale, Wisconsin.
Jan. 22: Ronnie W. Peek, Garden City Fire Department, Garden City, Kansas.
Jan. 29: Clifford “Cliff” Sanders, Caney Volunteer Fire Department, Caney, Kansas.
Jan. 31: Mike “Coop” Cooper, Centerville Fire Department, Centerville, Iowa.
Feb. 3: Charlie V. Wallace, Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department, Montgomery, New York.
Feb. 5: Kenneth Lehr, Medora Community Fire Protection District, Medora, Illinois.
Feb. 6: Garry Rose, McMechen Volunteer Fire Department, McMechen, West Virginia.
Feb. 11: Randy Parker, Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, Macon, Georgia.
Feb. 15: Kenneth M. Stanton, Sandy Springs Fire Department, Pendleton, South Carolina.
Feb. 18: Randy Hiti, Rice Lake Fire Department, Duluth, Minnesota.
Feb. 21: Dwight W. Bazile, Houston Fire Department, Houston, Texas.
Feb. 22: Edward Roddy, Somerset Volunteer Fire Department, Somerset, Pennsylvania.
March 6: Jerold “Jerry” Bonner, Cal Fire, Sacramento, California.
March 9: Jeffrey S. Buck, Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.
March 10: Billy R. Jarvis, Allen Fire Department, Allen, Kentucky.
March 15: John L. Shoup, Ashland Volunteer Fire Department, Ashland, Mississippi.
March 26: Daryl Gordon, Cincinnati Fire Department, Cincinnati, Ohio.
March 27: Barry Van Horn, Somerville Fire Department, Somerville, New Jersey.
March 30: Steve Cobb, U.S. Forest Service, Jackson, Mississippi.
March 30: Brandon Ricks, U.S. Forest Service, Jackson, Mississippi.
April 2: John J. Doster, Edgely Fire Company No. 1, Levittown, Pennsylvania.
April 12: Steven Ackerman, Valley Springs Fire & Rescue, Valley Springs, South Dakota.
April 13: Raymond Araujo, Cal Fire, Sacramento, California.
April 16: Andrew “Andy” Zalme, Dakota City Fire Department, Dakota City, Nebraska.
April 19: Curtis E. Nordsick, Wrightsville Steam Engine & Hose Company No. 1, Wrightsville, Pennsylvania.
April 27: Mike Corn, Conway Springs Fire Department, Conway Springs, Kansas.
April 30: Timothy T. Peters, Pine Grove Hose, Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania.
May 3: Christopher M. Blankenship, Madison County Fire Department, Jackson, Tennessee.
May 3: Larry W. Lawhorn, Orchard Farm Fire Protection District, St. Charles, Missouri.
May 4: Ricky Thurman, Swainsboro Fire Department, Swainsboro, Georgia.
May 5: Timothy Gunther, Poughkeepsie Fire Department, Poughkeepsie, New York.
May 6: Dwight Greer, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia, Mississippi.
May 6: Kevin McRae, Washington, D.C. Fire Department.
May 23: David Bourget, Phippsburg Fire Department, Phippsburg, Maine.
May 24: Jason Farley, Claremore Fire Department, Claremore, Oklahoma.
May 25: Terrance M. Pryor, Memphis Fire Department, Memphis, Tennessee.
June 1: Dale J. Wege, Pine Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
June 3: James “Donnie” D. Keith, Mount Zion Fire & Rescue, Jasper, Alabama.
June 4: Thomas D. Miserendino, Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Beachwood, New Jersey.
June 5: David Knapke, Williamsburg Township Emergency Services, Williamsburg, Ohio.
June 6: Ian Haxton, Student Conservation Association — Veteran Fire Corps, Arlington, Virginia.
June 9: Wille O. Sensenich, Circleville Volunteer Fire Department Station No. 8, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
June 10: Terry K. Sonner, Boise District Bureau of Land Management, Boise, Idaho.
June 20: Michael P. Miller, Green Bay Metro Fire Department, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
July 15: John Whelan, Denver Fire Department, Denver, Colorado.
July 26: Tyron Weston, Columbia Fire Department, Columbia, South Carolina.
July 27: James A. Hicks, North Carolina Air National Guard Fire and Emergency Services, Charlotte, North Carolina.
July 30: David “Dave” Ruhl, Big Valley Ranger District of the Modoc National Forest, Alturas, California.
Aug. 8: Michael “Mike” Hallenbeck, U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, South Lake Tahoe, California.
Aug. 14: James “JD” D. Robinson, Brasstown Fire Department, West Brasstown, North Carolina.
Aug. 17: Christopher J. Daniels, Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department, Pine Level, North Carolina.
Aug. 19: Richard Wheeler, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee.
Aug. 19: Andrew Zajac, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee.
Aug. 19: Tom Zbyszewski, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee.
Aug. 22: Lawrence G. Sesso, Sayville Fire Department, Sayville, New York.
Aug. 27: Chris Phillips, Locke Township Fire Department, Salisbury, North Carolina.
Aug. 31: Shane Clifton, St. Paul Fire Department, St. Paul, Minnesota.
