A 136-page report on the tragic Porterville Library Fire found that staffing shortages, a lack of training and communication problems may have contributed to the deaths of two firefighters in February 2020. Unfortunately, these issues continue to be far too common across the country to simply focus on one organization, the report concluded in part. Until all fire service leaders begin to resist complacency and implement positive change, we will continue to lose our valiant firefighters.
Fire Capt. Ramon Figueroa and firefighter Patrick Jones died in the massive fire that erupted on Feb. 18, 2020, in the children s section of the Porterville Library, located on the same block as the Porterville Fire Department.
Porterville Fire Department to hold virtual memorial ceremony remembering firefighters killed in library fire
Thursday the Porterville Fire Department plans to honor Fire Captain Raymond Figeroa and firefighter Patrick Jones in a virtual memorial service.
Porterville Fire Department
and last updated 2021-02-18 17:02:06-05
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KERO) â Thursday the Porterville Fire Department plans to honor Fire Captain Raymond Figeroa and firefighter Patrick Jones in a virtual memorial service.
The two firefighters died one year ago during a blaze at the town s library.
The 35-year-old Figueroa grew up in Delano and was living in Bakersfield while working with the Porterville Fire Department.
Firefighters that died fighting Porterville Library fire awarded a Purple Heart
The award is given to individuals that suffer severe physical injury that results in hospitalization or death while performing services as a member of the California fire service.
Porterville Fire Department
and last updated 2021-02-19 09:46:04-05
PORTERVILLE, Calif â The Two Firefighters that died fighting a library fire in February of last year were awarded a Purple Heart in honor of their sacrifice.
According to the California State Firefighters Association the Purple Heart is awarded to individuals that suffer severe physical injury that results in hospitalization or death while performing services as a member of the California fire service.
A year after deadly library fire, Porterville perseveres through the pain
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PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) A serious accident review team, or SART for short, will soon release an independent report on last year s deadly Porterville Library Fire.
Its purpose is to provide more information about what happened, and prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future. There s not a day that goes by that they re not on my mind, Porterville Fire Chief Dave LaPere said. And that goes for my command staff too.
LaPere says he s proud of how his entire staff has shouldered the burden of losing two of their brothers: Captain Raymond Figueroa and firefighter Patrick Jones.
They both touched my life : Porterville firefighter shares memories of Patrick Jones and Raymond Figueroa
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The men rushed into the burning building after it was reported someone was still inside.
That person had actually escaped, but after a Mayday call, Jones and Figueroa were never heard from again.
They were two of the best firefighters Coy Farnsworth ever knew. I feel really fortunate to have met both of them because I feel like they both touched my life in such positive but different ways, Farnsworth said.
He said Ray was skilled with tools, highly trained, and a mentor to younger firefighters like Patrick-who was eager to learn, always willing to lend a hand, and loved busting down doors (when he wasn t saving kittens).