In the fire service, “No one fights alone” is more than just a motto, it’s a way of life.
That commitment was on full display after an ambush attack left Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Local 710 Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County, Idaho Local 2856 Battalion Chief Frank Harwood dead, and Local 710 Fire Fighter-Engineer Dave Tysdal injured.
Nearly 80 IAFF members from across Idaho are stepping in to provide 48-hour shift coverage, beginning July 9, for Local 710, Local 2856, and Northern Lakes, Idaho Local 4045.
“This tremendous undertaking has been made possible through the cooperative coordination between the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho (PFFI), the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association, and the area leaders whose combined efforts and partnership have made the support possible,” said PFFI Vice President Matt Smith.
The coverage will allow members from the Locals to attend funeral services on Thursday and Friday, July 10-11, and maintain a round-the-clock guard at the funeral home.
“Surrounding agencies have stepped up to help, and the outpouring of support has been outstanding and enormous,” said PFFI Secretary/Treasurer Curtis Smith. “Volunteer requests filled up within 48 hours, with some members driving up to 10 hours to assist.”
Surrounding agencies have stepped up to help, and the outpouring of support has been outstanding and enormous.
Professional fire fighters of idaho secretary/treasurer curtis smith
Affiliates in neighboring Washington state, like Spokane Valley, WA Local 876, also stepped in to assist in covering shifts, provide peer support, and perform honor guard duties.
“We’ve done a whole bunch of the debriefing and helping with some of the peer support,” said Local 876 President Ben James. “We sent crews over at the initial event. I had three crews over there when the event occurred. They cared for us when we had our line-of-duty death involving Local 876 Fire Fighter/EMT Dan Patterson a couple of years ago, and they’re also family to us.”
Several other Locals in the surrounding region, including Northern Lakes, ID Local 4045 and Spokane, WA Local 29, were part of the initial response and are involved in the ongoing support efforts. “They were also part of the procession. We were part of all that—just helping however we could,” said James.
“The response was pretty mind-boggling and how fast it all came together. The PFFI organized this tremendous effort to make sure there was coverage, so that responders could attend both services,” said Local 4045 President Jarrod Pitts. “To me, it really shows why fire fighters are members of the IAFF brotherhood. They come back in tremendous ways, time and time again.”
Across the region, IAFF leaders expressed deep gratitude to their communities for the support shown in the face of tragedy.
“On behalf of the 1,500 members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho, we ask our communities across the state and nation to stand in solidarity with the families and departments impacted,” said PFFI President Rob Shoplock. “Our members will continue to answer the call – today, tomorrow, and every day into the future. We stand – now and always – with our fallen brothers of Locals 710 and 2856 and their families.”
Our members will continue to answer the call – today, tomorrow, and every day into the future.
Professional fire fighters of idaho president rob shoplock
7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh also highlighted the strength and unity within the IAFF community.
“The 7th District is a tight knit community within the great IAFF,” said Walsh. “We have strong leadership that are working with resources dispatched by General President Kelly to assure our fallen are appropriately honored, their families are taken care of, and the needs of our members in Local 710, Local 2856 and Local 4045 are met. We will not leave anyone behind.”
The Idaho affiliates assisting include Northern Lakes, Idaho Local 4045, Boise, Idaho Local 149, Pocatello, Idaho Local 187, Nampa, Idaho Local 804, Twin Falls, Idaho Local 1556, Idaho Falls, Idaho Local 1565, Lewiston, Idaho Local 1773, Caldwell, Idaho Local 1821, W. Shoshone County, Idaho Local 2034, Meridian, Idaho Local 2311, Blackfoot, Idaho Local 4454, Eagle, Idaho Local 4553, Middleton, Idaho Local 4626, Worley, Idaho Local 5005, Shoshone County, Idaho Local 5310, and Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Local I-83.
