RSFFD said people who wished to pay their last respects were invited to line the procession route to safely honor Cpt. Chris Mertz.
Fire Capt. Chris Mertz, 54, a 30-year veteran, worked with the RSFFPD for the last three decades. Most recently, he called Fire Station 5 in Harmony Grove Village home base.
Capt. Mertz had a distinguished early career before his time with the RSFFPD. Mertz spent time with the Federal Fire Department - San Diego and the U.S. Forest Service. With the USFS, Mertz served on the elite hot shot team, the Laguna Hot Shots. He was also one of the original members of FEMA s San Diego Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8, RSFFPD said.
Even More Vaccines Are (Likely) On the Way
It’s been a big 24 hours for (mostly good) vaccine news. Here’s what you should know.
Yesterday, Maryland-based company Novavax announced that its vaccine candidate is about 90% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Beyond that solid result, the vaccine may be easier to distribute than some other vaccines. It can be stored in a standard refrigerator, for one thing, and it ships in a liquid form, meaning it can be administered right away, unlike shots that come frozen.
Novavax’s announcement did contain some less exciting news, though. While the shot seems to stand up well to the viral variant that originated in the U.K., it was only about 50% effective in a small study in South Africa suggesting it did not work as well against a variant that originated there. That’s better than nothing, but the preliminary efficacy rate was low enough that company executives told the New York
Governor Newsom Statement on Death of Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Captain Details Written by Imperial Valley News
Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom Tuesday issued the following statement regarding the COVID-19-related death of Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District Fire Captain W. Chris Mertz.
“Jennifer and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Fire Captain Mertz. Fire Captain Mertz devoted his life to protecting his fellow Californians and his tremendous bravery, dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District captain has died of complications from COVID-19, the department announced today.
Capt. W. Chris Mertz, a 30-year veteran of the department who responded to the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, died Wednesday. He was 54.
“Chris and his family are the epitome of the American ideal people who love their country and committed their lives to serving their fellow citizens,” the department said in a statement.
A husband and father of three who worked early in his career for the Federal Fire Department in San Diego and the U.S. Forest Service, Mertz was an active member of his union and an original member of San Diego Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, which responds to disasters.
RANCHO SANTA FE
Fire officials on Thursday night said a captain who worked 30 years for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District died from complications of COVID-19.
A statement from the district said Capt. W. Chris Mertz, who died Wednesday, will receive full line-of-duty-death honors.
The 54-year-old was most recently assigned to Station 5 in Harmony Grove Village, according to the district’s statement. He is survived by his wife, Canli, his son, Garrett, who is a firefighter with Cal Fire San Diego, and his two daughters, Natalie and Roxanne, who both serve in the Air Force.
We regret to inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Captain W. Chris Mertz. pic.twitter.com/cOtWti5USz Rancho Santa Fe Fire (@RSF Fire) January 22, 2021