Firefighters Union post reward for arsonistIAFF Reward Fund Offers $50,000 in California Wildfire Arsonist Case
October 26, 2006 – IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has authorized $50,000 from the IAFF Reward Fund for information that helps find the arsonist responsible for setting the raging California wildfire that has claimed the lives of four U.S. Forest Service fire fighters and critically injured a fifth. The fire, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds northwest of Palm Springs, California, has now consumed more than 45,000 acres.
“Anytime fire fighters make the ultimate sacrifice, it is, indeed, a sad day for all of us,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “We all know that fire fighting is a dangerous job, and the fact that this fire was deliberately set makes it an even greater tragedy. The IAFF is committed to activating the full resources of this union to assist the U.S. Forest Service and the families of the fallen during this difficult time.”
Engine Captain Mark Loutzenhiser, 44, of Idyllwild; Engine Operator Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont; Assistant Engine Operator Jason McKay, 27, of Phelan; and fire fighter Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20, of San Jacinto died when the fire -- pushed by hot, dry winds -- swept over the engine they were in and the home they were trying to protect. Fire fighter Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley, was severely burned in the incident and is in very critical condition.
Thousands of fire fighters – most of them IAFF members, including California Department of Forestry (CDF) fire fighters and other California locals – have been deployed. Robert Wolf, president of CDF, has informed the U.S. Forest Service that the IAFF, CDF and the California Professional Firefighters are offering assistance to these fire fighters and their families, including with funeral services.
The fire started early October 26 and spread quickly by dry Santa Ana winds of 50 miles per hour or more. The five fire fighters were battling a house fire in Cabazon when the fire swept in, killing four of them. Cabazon is approximately 90 miles east of Los Angeles and 17 miles northwest of Palm Springs in Riverside County.
The fire is now approximately 85 percent contained.
The IAFF Reward Fund was established by contributions from IAFF affiliates. The fund is used exclusively to pledge a reward for individual or individuals who provide information that lead to the apprehension and conviction of persons responsible for major incidents of arson that cause the death of IAFF members. The U.S. Forest Service workers who died in the recent fire were not IAFF members, but President Schaitberger authorized the reward because of the severity of loss in the Southern California wildfire that has already claimed four lives.
Click here for more information on how IAFF Reward Fund disbursements are made.
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