Like most everyone, I was shocked to hear of the loss of 19 Firefighters Sunday evening.  While the loss of every firefighter is very tragic, this weekend’s loss, in Prescott AZ, is magnified 19 times.  The thoughts and prayers, of all our members at the Western Fire Chiefs Association, go out to the Prescott Fire Department, the families that lost love ones and the community that has suffered a very tragic loss of both role models, of the 19 Firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who suffered personal tragedy as well, with the loss of homes and businesses.

It will be sometime before we know the lessons learned of this tragic event and how we can prevent another tragedy like this.  But for now we need to concentrate on supporting those families who are part of a special group, in which a member of their family has paid the ultimate price.

Whether we lose one or 19, every loss of a Firefighter is tragic.  The Prescott Fire Department, Citizens and the Fire Service Community is experiencing the pain and sadness multiplied 19 times.

Mark Wendelsdorf
President, Western Fire Chiefs Association

www.wfca.com