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Comments from Mike
Dietrich, Fire Chief of the San Bernardino NF;
and Norm Walker, Division Chief, San Jacinto Ranger District.
Engine 57 Memorial Service
Sunday, November 5th, 2006
Glen Helen Park, California
[Mike's words are in Times Roman text and Norm's are in
Times Roman italic text]
[Introduce Norm]
At this time I would like to introduce Norm Walker, Division Chief, San
Jacinto Ranger District. Norm and I will stand side by side here today
as we did on October 26th, and will continue to do for as long as it
takes.
Today, we come before the loved ones, families, friends, and fellow
firefighters of the San Bernardino National Forest and the family of
firefighters from all of the fire services. This tragedy has reopened
all the emotions that I personally experienced in July 1994 after 14
heroes perished on the South Canyon Fire. I made a commitment then, and
reaffirm it today, to do everything in my power to provide the best
training, the best equipment, the best leadership and most importantly,
the best people to ensure that firefighter safety comes first time every
time. Our focus today however is on the memory of those men of Engine
57, who laid down their lives for their fellow citizens in the Line of
Duty.
The venue here today is very appropriate [Hyundai Pavillion]. It is used
as the Incident Command Post for almost every large fire in this area.
The Old Fire burned around this site in October 2003, three years to the
day of this tragic event. What is most symbolic is that Mark, Jason and
Jess spent a lot of time here. It is the place where they ate, slept and
took the time to call home and tell you, their families, about the day,
the fire, and get the news about their brothers, sisters, children and
life at home. Most importantly, they called to let you know that they
were okay, and to tell you how much they loved you. I know that Pablo
and Daniel would have grown very familiar with this place as well in
their careers.
Norm will now share some of his thoughts.
[Norm Speaks]
As the Division Chief on the San Jacinto Ranger District, I'd like to
thank all of the "Uniforms" for being here today. As I walked in, I was
introduced to one of my peers, a Division Chief from New York City Fire
Department. What an honor to have him come here to honor our fallen
firefighters.
I'd like to share with you my thoughts on what made Engine Co. 57 such a
high performance team. It's a 7 person team. Two are with us today and
five are here in spirit.
The San Jacinto Ranger District's long reputation for firefighting and
Prescribed Burn excellence has always been a cornerstone of the San
Bernardino National Forest's program.
As a Division Chief, I expect excellence from every Engine, Fire Patrol,
our Hot Shots, Helitack and my Battalion Chiefs.
I inherited much of this excellence. It's a long standing tradition on
the San Jac.
So, what makes an Engine Co. stand out amongst other Engines on the
forest, the region, or thousands of excellent Engine Companies in the
United States?
If I asked all the Chief Officers here today what traits you would want
in the members of an Engine Co, most of you would describe the traits of
the members of Engine 57!
Mark and Jess's excellent leadership, Jason's energy, talent and
dedication.
And then you would want strong, talented, hardworking young firefighters
like Pablo Cerda, Danny Hoover-Najera, Kyle Owen and Kyle Holtan.
Alandale Station was closed for a few years due to lack of budget. When
the budget was restored in 2001, it was reopened. However, while it was
closed, we had used it for storage and the mice had used it for wildlife
habitat!
Janey Espinoza was hired as Captain and Ed Wieringa, her Engineer and
they began the restoration of Alandale Station.
After a time, Janey and Ed made career moves and we moved Mark
Loutzenhiser from Vista Grande Hot Shot Captain to Alandale Station
Captain.
Mark was a carpenter! Jess McLean was a perfectionist and could lay
tile. Jason was a handyman as well and they all taught their crafts to
the rest of the crew.
Mark (Lotzy) and Jess (Gus) became very good at calling me and partially
explaining what their plans were. I probably don't want to know where
they ever got all the money.
The rest of the distinguished speakers spoke solemnly about our brothers
and that's appropriate. However, I must tell everyone in this sea of
firefighting humanity, what the folks in the front rows already know.
These guys were characters!
A typical phone call between Lotzy and I went something like this:
"Norm, this is Lotz" "Hey Lotz, what's up?" "I've got a few ideas about
the station, how about coming out so we can talk?" "OK".
So I would drive out to Alandale and there would be two different ways
this could go. The first scenario would be if I agreed with Lotzy about
what he wanted to do. I would be made welcome, we would talk for a while
and then I would leave.
However, if Lotzy and I did not agree, then the scenario changed. "Hey
Chief, you need your car washed?" Ah, sure, I guess so" OK, lets go out
and have a look at the project" At this point we would be joined by Gus
or Jason so I would be double teamed.
In the end, the crew got what they wanted and I got…..a clean car!
-They designed and remodeled the office, removed the old furniture and
built modern computer work stations.
-They needed a new floor in the station. I pictured industrial grade
carpet, they pictured dark blue ceramic tile. Should you ever get a
chance to stop in at Alandale, notice the tile floor!
-They installed a new ceiling in the barracks rooms.
-They landscaped.
-Mark designed, and they built a new public information kiosk, complete
with handicap access.
-A new flagpole was next. By now I'm sure you get the picture.
When we stopped by the memorial at Alandale two nights after the
tragedy, I was looking at the candles and flowers and the notes that
people left. Then I raised my eyes to see all of the solar lighting that
the crew had installed. The kiosk is lit, the pathways are lit, the sign
is lit, and the flagpole is illuminated so Old Glory can be flown at
night.
My point is that this high performance team never quit making
improvements to their firehouse. They all kept working for the safety of
the public and to raise the bar of professionalism for the United States
Forest Service.
Our challenge now is to honor the memory of our fallen brothers, Mark,
Jess, Jason, Pablo and Danny. To do this we're all going to have to work
a little bit harder and be a little bit better, because Engine Company
57 raised the bar for all of us…..forever.
Thank you, Norm. There are three main points I would now like to
address. First, I want to tell you about the firefighters. Second: there
is something we can do to add honor and bring meaning to their
sacrifice, and third: where we must go in the future. My intention is
that we learn from this tragedy. But most importantly, we begin the
healing process.
Firefighters
As we have heard during these last eleven days,
firefighters have a special bond between them -- Mark as the leader,
Jess and Jason new in their careers who had the opportunity to bring new
life into the world and experience it like most of us here, Pablo who
learned that he wanted to stay with the Forest Service, and Daniel who
just wanted to be a firefighter. Engine 57 reflects that bond with the
San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest, United
States Forest Service, and others within the entire fire service. The
seven members of Engine 57 demonstrate the highest standards of
character, leadership, and professionalism of the United States Forest
Service. Kyle, and Kyle, we cannot fully understand how deep your pain
is. We are here with you as we all struggle together to bring meaning to
this terrible tragedy. I know you will be strong because you were
selected for the same qualities as your fallen brothers Mark, Jason,
Gus, Pablo, and Daniel. We are with you.
The fallen heroes of Engine 57 had worked in the Forest Service from as
short as two weeks, to over 21 years. Let me be very clear about this.
[Emphasis] It makes no difference whether you are in the Forest Service
two days, two weeks, or forty years. Once you hire on, you are in our
family forever.
Healing Process
My second point is that we must begin the healing process, by bringing
meaning and honor to the lives of these men. We need to take action to
prevent this in the future. The Esperanza Fire was set intentionally: A
deliberate act that terrorized thousands of our citizens, destroyed our
land, and property, and took the lives, not only of brave men, but the
lives of sons, brothers, husbands and husbands-to-be, coaches, uncles,
mentors, friends, and dads. [Emphasis] The scourge of arson is nothing
less than "domestic terrorism". I am here to tell you that if the fire
had started a few hours earlier, or the wind had blown a little harder,
much of this community could not have been evacuated in time. Hundreds
of our fellow citizens could have perished in the inferno. We can give
meaning and honor to these men, their families, and fellow firefighters
by coming together, [Pause] dedicated in their memory, to prevent,
detect, and prosecute arson. [Pause] It is all too common in these hills
and canyons. We must foster a culture that rejects arson for the
terrorist act that it is. We have no control over natural disasters like
earthquakes and floods, but we can and must address the heinous crime of
arson. [Pause] We have demonstrated that we have the capability to
address complex firefighter and public safety problems through the
Mountain Area Safety Taskforce in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
These efforts include state and local fire and law enforcement agencies,
community volunteers, and fire safe councils, in partnership with
elected officials. This is my personal commitment to the families of the
fallen crew of Engine 57, citizens, and fellow public safety personnel.
We will work together hand in hand across without regard agency
boundaries or jurisdictions to conquer this evil.
The Future
We can not change the events of October 26th, 2006. However, we can
shape the future. First, we must heal the gapping wounds in our hearts.
During the next weeks and months it is okay to cry, to laugh, and think
about not only our loss, but the privilege we shared in knowing and
working with these fine young men. They enriched all of our lives so
much. The memories they have given, we will keep with us, and treasure
for the rest of our lives. For me, I am grateful for the honor to share
in their lives through their families and learn more from the families
of Daniel and Pablo. We must all work together to support, and help each
other through these difficult times.
During the last eleven days, there has been tremendous support for our
families, friends, and fellow employees. The generosity, compassion, and
love have come to us from across the country. I will say that all the
prayers must be working. Take a look around and observe this sea of love
and support. It is incredible. [Pause]
In closing, I have searched my heart for the greatest statement we can
make to attest to the sacrifice that Mark, Gus, Jason, Pablo, and Daniel
have made, and to ensure that they will never be forgotten. It is my
goal and solemn intent, to resume the commitment to duty and service at
the Alandale Station, home of Engine 57. Their memory is etched in the
station by virtue of their handiwork.
I look forward to the day when the dispatch alarm sounds: "First alarm
vegetation fire, area 57 (followed by those three distinctive tones);
Engine 57 respond." The reply on the radio will be, and I quote: "
[Pause] In memory of Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, in memory of Engineer
Jess McLean, in memory of Assistant Fire Engine Operator Jason McKay, in
memory of Firefighter Pablo Cerda, and in memory of Firefighter Daniel
Hoover-Najera. " As the Captain turns and looks at each member and
states with pride: "Engine 57 responding,"
[Turn to Norm and exit]
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