3 American firefighters down, Australia

[cop414]

RIP smoke eaters.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...ie/4550882002/

[GoingPlaces]

Rip

[Soarer]

How about Australian and other volunteer firefighters who are down too? RIP all of them.

[Kostas]

Yes, I heard that yesterday, very sad, they came to help us aussies and paid the ultimate price, I think some of that fund raising should support their families too!

[brandrea]

It’s such a sad situation all around. Thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by these devastating fires.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Soarer

How about Australian and other volunteer firefighters who are down too? RIP all of them.

Indeed, 5 Australia firefighters down also, RIP to all of them.

[statsman]

They are amazing men, our best, really. Hundreds of thousands of years of evolution saying to run from the fire and they run into it.

I still think of 9-11: after the first tower fell, firemen kept running into the second tower to save lives, knowing what was coming. Amazing.

[Doc Savage]

RIP to these smoke eaters. Tough job on the best days.

[JayHantz]

I used to fly with the flight engineer in my active duty days. A very sad day.

[singe89]

As a son of a fallen firefighter (line of duty death) I hope full benefits are given to the family and the department doesn’t consider it voluntary/off duty. RIP

[subtona]

Rip

[Rock]

It is somehow even more tragic in view of the fact that these guys came here to help others. As sad as it is to lose anybody, at least the locals had 'skin in the game'. You always want to look after your guests, particularly in a situation like this.
People from all over the world have been very generous in donating to the Bushfire Appeal and I would hope the families of these guys are looked after as if they were our own.

[GB-man]

RIP very brave and selfless individuals

[Kostas]

Originally Posted by Rock

It is somehow even more tragic in view of the fact that these guys came here to help others. As sad as it is to lose anybody, at least the locals had 'skin in the game'. You always want to look after your guests, particularly in a situation like this.
People from all over the world have been very generous in donating to the Bushfire Appeal and I would hope the families of these guys are looked after as if they were our own.

Well said.

[swatty]

Yes very tragic, the toll of the bushfires has been huge. My condolences to all the families of fighters fighters that have perished working to protect us.

[supersam80]

Originally Posted by Rock

It is somehow even more tragic in view of the fact that these guys came here to help others. As sad as it is to lose anybody, at least the locals had 'skin in the game'. You always want to look after your guests, particularly in a situation like this.
People from all over the world have been very generous in donating to the Bushfire Appeal and I would hope the families of these guys are looked after as if they were our own.

Agree completely

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Rock

It is somehow even more tragic in view of the fact that these guys came here to help others. As sad as it is to lose anybody, at least the locals had 'skin in the game'. You always want to look after your guests, particularly in a situation like this.
People from all over the world have been very generous in donating to the Bushfire Appeal and I would hope the families of these guys are looked after as if they were our own.

Well said.

[RichM]

Rest In Peace and our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are affected by this tragedy.

[Blansky]

Firefighters have a very strong fraternity and there were Aussies and New Zealanders here in Northern California during our fires.

Besides the firefighters from Oregon there were firefighters from California that went to Australia as well.

Very sad loss of life.

Much like the cleanup after 9/11 I really worry about the amount of lung damage that all of them may experience, just from the amount of smoke and carcinogens in the air away from the direct fires where there are plenty of pictures of them not wearing masks.

https://time.com/5357188/australia-f...nia-wildfires/

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/04/us/ca...res/index.html

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Firefighters have a very strong fraternity and there were Aussies and New Zealanders here in Northern California during our fires.

Besides the firefighters from Oregon there were firefighters from California that went to Australia as well.

Very sad loss of life.

Much like the cleanup after 9/11 I really worry about the amount of lung damage that all of them may experience, just from the amount of smoke and carcinogens in the air away from the direct fires where there are plenty of pictures of them not wearing masks.

https://time.com/5357188/australia-f...nia-wildfires/

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/04/us/ca...res/index.html

I've been thinking the same thing about the toxic inhalants these firefighters are ingesting. Many of those who make it out of there will probably be dealing with health issues for a while.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

I've been thinking the same thing about the toxic inhalants these firefighters are ingesting. Many of those who make it out of there will probably be dealing with health issues for a while.

Or in 10 years with permanent lung damage.

In the Northern California fires of 2017 it was impossible to find any masks after about a day. Home Depot had massive bins of them and sold out. People were walking, driving, shopping with them on. It looked like the Tokyo airport.

But you see firefighters engulfed in smoke and very smokey areas without a mask on. It's amazing.

[Dr. Robert]

Vaya con Dios

[singe89]

Originally Posted by Doc Savage

I've been thinking the same thing about the toxic inhalants these firefighters are ingesting. Many of those who make it out of there will probably be dealing with health issues for a while.

Cancer deaths have been increasing and are now considered LODD (line of duty deaths) for full benefits after retirement. 30 years ago firefighters didn't always wear their BAs, they would fight fire after fire in their turnouts then go back to the station and just leave them at the bottom of their beds so they were close by when the next bell went off. They inhaled toxic fumes and chemicals constantly. OCFA has taken HUGE steps in preventing this. They have full detox teams that take your turnouts right after a fire and issue you a new pair. Some departments are implementing detox saunas to try and sweat the soot and chemicals out of the body after a fire.

Times are changing and the awareness and technology will help fire fighters reduce the long term side effects of the job.

[GradyPhilpott]

Rest in peace.

[Oldfellow]

My thoughts are with the families of those brave American firefighters who tragically lost their lives helping Australians.
There are others that have also been victim to these terrible bushfires, which are the worst here in my living memory.
Firefighters are one big family and I am sure appropriate support will be given where needed.
I have two sons who are Firefighters, and I am always a little anxious about their safety.

[HL65]

Rest In Peace.

[Larry302]

R.I.P Brothers .

Here is a really “ good “ video about cancer and the FD, it seems each retirement party, funeral or other get together I learn of another co-worker with it .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXd5sb6fWNM

[mailman]

Rest In Peace.

[Yess]

Sad news when I heard this... thank you for your sacrifice for my country. It will be remembered.

[ltmgeller]

May they rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with their families both blood and uniformed.