Tag: Iron Complex

A memorial service was held in Medford, Oregon yesterday for the 9 firefighters that died in the helicopter crash on August 5 while working on the Iron 44 fire.

HERE is a gallery of photos taken at the service. You need to see these photos.

Here is a link to a slide show/video of the service, put together by Shari and Ken Downhill of Northwest Timber Fallers.

The Mail Tribune has a video about the service.

An excerpt from a Mail Tribune article:

Friday’s tribute began with a procession of some 30 fire trucks representing firefighting companies and agencies from around the West. Leading the procession was seven black vehicles carrying family members.

Grayback firefighters lined each side of the road as the procession entered the fairgrounds under crossed fire ladders. The Grayback crews, all in gray company T-shirts, forest green Nomax pants and boots, then marched solemnly into the amphitheater for the memorial. Most were young men but there was also a sprinkling of young women.

With the families of the fallen sitting up front, the memorial opened with a police honor guard and a bagpipe-and-drum corps. Later, just as the Northwest Regional Fire Pipes and Drums was completing “Amazing Grace,” a spotter plane followed by an air tanker roared overhead to honor those killed in the crash. Another air tanker followed, symbolically dropping nine streamers traditionally used to determine wind direction over a fire.

Surviving members of the Grayback crew, including Schroeder, who is wearing a chin brace, presented the families of those who died with American flags, chromed Pulaskis — a combined ax and hoe that is the favored tool of wildland firefighters — and polished red hard hats for the firefighters. The families of the pilots received shiny white flight helmets.

Closing out the ceremony was a Grayback firefighter who rang the fire bell 15 times in a series of five rings each, a historical way of letting other firefighters know one of their own has fallen.

In addition to Catherine Renno, others speaking at the memorial included U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell, State Forester Marvin Brown, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, Grayback President Mike Wheelock, Carson Executive Vice President Steve Metheny and Tom Harbour, director of fire and aviation management for the U.S. Forest Service. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski was in attendance.

“It is an unhappy truth that firefighters’ memorial services are always about the passing of the very best men and women our society can produce,” Metheny said. “And these men are proof of that truth.”

Many in the crowd began weeping when former smoke jumper Wheelock spoke.

“To the families, I am so sorry we did not bring your loved ones home,” he said, his voice breaking. “Families and firefighters, we will never, never forget the firefighters that were injured or lost their lives on Iron 44.”

During her presentation, Renno, whose husband, Bruce LeMay, offered a prayer for those killed or injured in the crash as well as others who have died in service to fellow citizens or the nation, said they have had some tough days since the crash.

“It was a comfort to my heart to learn, by talking to some of the guys that made it, that they weren’t tired and worn out as they got onto the helicopter,” she said. “They were pretty jazzed. They were pretty happy because they had held the line. That does our hearts good to know that, that our sons on their last day held the line.”

Photo courtesy of Mail Tribune

Oregon tribute

Grayback Forestry and Carson Helicopters are helping to plan a tribute for the 9 people that died in the August 5 helicopter crash on the Iron 44 fire. It is scheduled for Friday, August 15 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lithia Motors amphitheater on the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, near Medford, Oregon. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. The Amphitheater is at 1 Peninger Road in Central Point, off Exit 33 (Pine Street) on Interstate 5.

Call (541) 618-2171 for more information or visit www.graybackforestry.com

James Ramage service

From the Redding Record Searchlight:

Service for pilot set for Saturday

A celebration honoring James N. Ramage of Redding is set for 2 p.m. Saturday August 16 at the Redding Convention Center. The 63-year-old U.S. Forest Service helicopter pilot died with eight others last week in the Buckhorn Fire helicopter crash in Trinity County.

The event will celebrate his life and 24-year career as a helicopter pilot and aviation inspector with both the U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The celebration begins at 1:30 p.m. with a procession of fire apparatus at the Redding Convention Center, followed by the 2 p.m. ceremony of invited speakers, a video presentation highlighting his life and career, remarks and comments by his family and friends, and a fly-over tribute of fire-fighting aircraft.

The public is invited to attend. Those wishing to attend are advised to arrive early because of likely traffic congestion and parking limitations.

IndyCar race tribute at Infineon raceway, “Firefighter Appreciation Day”

From infineonraceway.com

………Infineon Raceway will honor these courageous (firefighters) for their incredibly heroic efforts at the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County during Firefighter Appreciation Day on Sunday, August 24.

The first 10,000 race fans that enter the raceway on Sunday will receive a FREE commemorative bracelet with the inscription, “Firefighter Appreciation Day,” and the date.

Firefighters will also be recognized during pre-event ceremonies on Sunday prior to the green flag being dropped for the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County.

There will also be a parade lap around the world famous road course by fire trucks and emergency response vehicles, as well as notable firefighters and dignitaries. Race fans can also visit the special firefighter display booth, which will feature donation buckets for those who would like to contribute.

Firefighters and their families can purchase discounted tickets for Firefighter Appreciation Day. CLICK HERE for more information about the discounts.

For months we have had a special link on the side of this blog that links to and shows an excerpt from the Zion Helitack blog. During this fire season they have not posted frequently, because it can be difficult to find an Internet connection on a dusty helibase.

But it turns out that one of the people on the Zion crew, Michael, was in a helicopter headed to the helispot where the accident occurred on the Iron 44 fire about the time the helicopter crashed, and played an important role in coordinating the numerous helicopters involved in various tasks related to helicopter water drops and rescue of the injured.

Michael wrote a compelling account that you should read, HERE.