Memorial Services Planned for CAL FIRE Line of Duty Death
With his firefighting gear piled near his flag-draped casket, and a surfboard and guitar nearby, hundreds of firefighters turned out Friday afternoon in Murrieta to pay last their last respects to fallen Cal Fire comrade Christopher "Toph" Douglas.
"We're not celebrating – we're honoring Chris today," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mark Williams.
Williams oversaw Douglas, a 41-year-old Temecula resident who served as a fire apparatus engineer/paramedic in Thousand Palms.
"Chris was a blessing to have in Station #35," Williams said.
Friday's nearly two-hour long service at The Bridge Church was emotional. Stoic firefighters from across the Southland representing nearly all cities and counties wiped tears as stories about Douglas were told and happy images of he and his young family rolled across large screens inside the church's filled-to-capacity auditorium.
According to fellow firefighters, friends, and family, Douglas was full of life and lived it to its fullest. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, and a firefighter. His heart, his casual but hardworking character, and his smile, were some of his greatest attributes, they said.
Dale Price served in the Air Force with Douglas and the two remained best friends. During Friday's service, Price played a July 4 voicemail message he received from his buddy – the day before his tragic death. Douglas wished Price a happy Independence Day and closed with, "Miss you and love you."
Price was Douglas's best man at his wedding. "I miss my friend. When the sun is just right and the wind is just right … I'll feel his hand on my shoulder … ," he said.
Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins said Douglas was destined to be a captain some day. He was a "dirty-faced, hardworking" firefighter, and he was a leader, the chief said -- the kind of colleague every first-responder wants by his or her side on a call.
Although there were light-hearted moments during Friday's service, recalling Chris's love of surfing and guitar, there was also tradition in the form of Line of Duty Death fire service honors that featured the Cal Fire Color Guard, Air Force personnel and bag pipes.
The last call for Douglas was sent out on the dispatch radio for all first responders to hear. Through the radio crackle of Cal Fire spokeswoman Jody Hagemann's announcement, emotion flooded the auditorium.
In his final words before "Taps" was played and flag presentations were made, Cal Fire Chaplain Brent Sharick reminded the audience of the man he believed Douglas to be.
"The ocean was Christopher's church," he said. "He had a passion for every role he played in his life."
~~~~~~~~
Firefighter Christopher Douglas, a Fire Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic for CAL FIRE, was fatally injured on July 5th after being struck by a vehicle while responding to an emergency incident in Riverside County. Douglas, who has been with CAL FIRE for nearly a decade, worked out of Fire Station 35 in Thousand Palms.
Cards can be sent to the family in care of:
The Douglas Family
c/o CDF Firefighters Local 2881
21160 Box Springs Rd Suite #105
Moreno Valley, CA 92557
Due to the overwhelming response of the public and partnering public safety agencies, CDF Firefighters Local 2881 has established a site dedicated to those who wish to make a donation to benefit the Douglas family: https://firefamilyfoundation.org/tributes/chris-douglas/.
Christopher Douglas CAL FIRE RVC Last Alarm 7/5/2013~
Douglas, 41, of Temecula was fatally injured while responding to a traffic collision along Interstate 10 near the Thousand Palms area in Riverside County. He was an eight-year veteran of CAL FIRE.
Douglas is survived by his wife, Amy, who is pregnant, and their two-year-old son, Samuel. Christopher is also survived his siblings, Martin Douglas and family of Colorado Springs, Heather Douglas of Denver, mother, Rose Porter of Colorado Springs, and his in-laws, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken of Newport Beach, and sister in law Jessica Carroll & her family of Costa Mesa, and sister in law Veronica Herrington and family from Newport Beach.
In honor of Engineer Christopher Douglas, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
His career spanned over 9 1/2 years with eight years service credit as a veteran firefighter for CAL FIRE.
With his firefighting gear piled near his flag-draped casket, and a surfboard and guitar nearby, hundreds of firefighters turned out Friday afternoon in Murrieta to pay last their last respects to fallen Cal Fire comrade Christopher "Toph" Douglas.
"We're not celebrating – we're honoring Chris today," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mark Williams.
Williams oversaw Douglas, a 41-year-old Temecula resident who served as a fire apparatus engineer/paramedic in Thousand Palms.
"Chris was a blessing to have in Station #35," Williams said.
Friday's nearly two-hour long service at The Bridge Church was emotional. Stoic firefighters from across the Southland representing nearly all cities and counties wiped tears as stories about Douglas were told and happy images of he and his young family rolled across large screens inside the church's filled-to-capacity auditorium.
According to fellow firefighters, friends, and family, Douglas was full of life and lived it to its fullest. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, and a firefighter. His heart, his casual but hardworking character, and his smile, were some of his greatest attributes, they said.
Dale Price served in the Air Force with Douglas and the two remained best friends. During Friday's service, Price played a July 4 voicemail message he received from his buddy – the day before his tragic death. Douglas wished Price a happy Independence Day and closed with, "Miss you and love you."
Price was Douglas's best man at his wedding. "I miss my friend. When the sun is just right and the wind is just right … I'll feel his hand on my shoulder … ," he said.
Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins said Douglas was destined to be a captain some day. He was a "dirty-faced, hardworking" firefighter, and he was a leader, the chief said -- the kind of colleague every first-responder wants by his or her side on a call.
Although there were light-hearted moments during Friday's service, recalling Chris's love of surfing and guitar, there was also tradition in the form of Line of Duty Death fire service honors that featured the Cal Fire Color Guard, Air Force personnel and bag pipes.
The last call for Douglas was sent out on the dispatch radio for all first responders to hear. Through the radio crackle of Cal Fire spokeswoman Jody Hagemann's announcement, emotion flooded the auditorium.
In his final words before "Taps" was played and flag presentations were made, Cal Fire Chaplain Brent Sharick reminded the audience of the man he believed Douglas to be.
"The ocean was Christopher's church," he said. "He had a passion for every role he played in his life."
~~~~~~~~
Firefighter Christopher Douglas, a Fire Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic for CAL FIRE, was fatally injured on July 5th after being struck by a vehicle while responding to an emergency incident in Riverside County. Douglas, who has been with CAL FIRE for nearly a decade, worked out of Fire Station 35 in Thousand Palms.
Cards can be sent to the family in care of:
The Douglas Family
c/o CDF Firefighters Local 2881
21160 Box Springs Rd Suite #105
Moreno Valley, CA 92557
Due to the overwhelming response of the public and partnering public safety agencies, CDF Firefighters Local 2881 has established a site dedicated to those who wish to make a donation to benefit the Douglas family: https://firefamilyfoundation.org/tributes/chris-douglas/.
Christopher Douglas CAL FIRE RVC Last Alarm 7/5/2013~
Douglas, 41, of Temecula was fatally injured while responding to a traffic collision along Interstate 10 near the Thousand Palms area in Riverside County. He was an eight-year veteran of CAL FIRE.
Douglas is survived by his wife, Amy, who is pregnant, and their two-year-old son, Samuel. Christopher is also survived his siblings, Martin Douglas and family of Colorado Springs, Heather Douglas of Denver, mother, Rose Porter of Colorado Springs, and his in-laws, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken of Newport Beach, and sister in law Jessica Carroll & her family of Costa Mesa, and sister in law Veronica Herrington and family from Newport Beach.
In honor of Engineer Christopher Douglas, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
His career spanned over 9 1/2 years with eight years service credit as a veteran firefighter for CAL FIRE.
Memorial Services Planned for CAL FIRE Line of Duty Death
With his firefighting gear piled near his flag-draped casket, and a surfboard and guitar nearby, hundreds of firefighters turned out Friday afternoon in Murrieta to pay last their last respects to fallen Cal Fire comrade Christopher "Toph" Douglas.
"We're not celebrating – we're honoring Chris today," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mark Williams.
Williams oversaw Douglas, a 41-year-old Temecula resident who served as a fire apparatus engineer/paramedic in Thousand Palms.
"Chris was a blessing to have in Station #35," Williams said.
Friday's nearly two-hour long service at The Bridge Church was emotional. Stoic firefighters from across the Southland representing nearly all cities and counties wiped tears as stories about Douglas were told and happy images of he and his young family rolled across large screens inside the church's filled-to-capacity auditorium.
According to fellow firefighters, friends, and family, Douglas was full of life and lived it to its fullest. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, and a firefighter. His heart, his casual but hardworking character, and his smile, were some of his greatest attributes, they said.
Dale Price served in the Air Force with Douglas and the two remained best friends. During Friday's service, Price played a July 4 voicemail message he received from his buddy – the day before his tragic death. Douglas wished Price a happy Independence Day and closed with, "Miss you and love you."
Price was Douglas's best man at his wedding. "I miss my friend. When the sun is just right and the wind is just right … I'll feel his hand on my shoulder … ," he said.
Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins said Douglas was destined to be a captain some day. He was a "dirty-faced, hardworking" firefighter, and he was a leader, the chief said -- the kind of colleague every first-responder wants by his or her side on a call.
Although there were light-hearted moments during Friday's service, recalling Chris's love of surfing and guitar, there was also tradition in the form of Line of Duty Death fire service honors that featured the Cal Fire Color Guard, Air Force personnel and bag pipes.
The last call for Douglas was sent out on the dispatch radio for all first responders to hear. Through the radio crackle of Cal Fire spokeswoman Jody Hagemann's announcement, emotion flooded the auditorium.
In his final words before "Taps" was played and flag presentations were made, Cal Fire Chaplain Brent Sharick reminded the audience of the man he believed Douglas to be.
"The ocean was Christopher's church," he said. "He had a passion for every role he played in his life."
~~~~~~~~
Firefighter Christopher Douglas, a Fire Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic for CAL FIRE, was fatally injured on July 5th after being struck by a vehicle while responding to an emergency incident in Riverside County. Douglas, who has been with CAL FIRE for nearly a decade, worked out of Fire Station 35 in Thousand Palms.
Cards can be sent to the family in care of:
The Douglas Family
c/o CDF Firefighters Local 2881
21160 Box Springs Rd Suite #105
Moreno Valley, CA 92557
Due to the overwhelming response of the public and partnering public safety agencies, CDF Firefighters Local 2881 has established a site dedicated to those who wish to make a donation to benefit the Douglas family: https://firefamilyfoundation.org/tributes/chris-douglas/.
Christopher Douglas CAL FIRE RVC Last Alarm 7/5/2013~
Douglas, 41, of Temecula was fatally injured while responding to a traffic collision along Interstate 10 near the Thousand Palms area in Riverside County. He was an eight-year veteran of CAL FIRE.
Douglas is survived by his wife, Amy, who is pregnant, and their two-year-old son, Samuel. Christopher is also survived his siblings, Martin Douglas and family of Colorado Springs, Heather Douglas of Denver, mother, Rose Porter of Colorado Springs, and his in-laws, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken of Newport Beach, and sister in law Jessica Carroll & her family of Costa Mesa, and sister in law Veronica Herrington and family from Newport Beach.
In honor of Engineer Christopher Douglas, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
His career spanned over 9 1/2 years with eight years service credit as a veteran firefighter for CAL FIRE.
With his firefighting gear piled near his flag-draped casket, and a surfboard and guitar nearby, hundreds of firefighters turned out Friday afternoon in Murrieta to pay last their last respects to fallen Cal Fire comrade Christopher "Toph" Douglas.
"We're not celebrating – we're honoring Chris today," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mark Williams.
Williams oversaw Douglas, a 41-year-old Temecula resident who served as a fire apparatus engineer/paramedic in Thousand Palms.
"Chris was a blessing to have in Station #35," Williams said.
Friday's nearly two-hour long service at The Bridge Church was emotional. Stoic firefighters from across the Southland representing nearly all cities and counties wiped tears as stories about Douglas were told and happy images of he and his young family rolled across large screens inside the church's filled-to-capacity auditorium.
According to fellow firefighters, friends, and family, Douglas was full of life and lived it to its fullest. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, and a firefighter. His heart, his casual but hardworking character, and his smile, were some of his greatest attributes, they said.
Dale Price served in the Air Force with Douglas and the two remained best friends. During Friday's service, Price played a July 4 voicemail message he received from his buddy – the day before his tragic death. Douglas wished Price a happy Independence Day and closed with, "Miss you and love you."
Price was Douglas's best man at his wedding. "I miss my friend. When the sun is just right and the wind is just right … I'll feel his hand on my shoulder … ," he said.
Cal Fire Chief John Hawkins said Douglas was destined to be a captain some day. He was a "dirty-faced, hardworking" firefighter, and he was a leader, the chief said -- the kind of colleague every first-responder wants by his or her side on a call.
Although there were light-hearted moments during Friday's service, recalling Chris's love of surfing and guitar, there was also tradition in the form of Line of Duty Death fire service honors that featured the Cal Fire Color Guard, Air Force personnel and bag pipes.
The last call for Douglas was sent out on the dispatch radio for all first responders to hear. Through the radio crackle of Cal Fire spokeswoman Jody Hagemann's announcement, emotion flooded the auditorium.
In his final words before "Taps" was played and flag presentations were made, Cal Fire Chaplain Brent Sharick reminded the audience of the man he believed Douglas to be.
"The ocean was Christopher's church," he said. "He had a passion for every role he played in his life."
~~~~~~~~
Firefighter Christopher Douglas, a Fire Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic for CAL FIRE, was fatally injured on July 5th after being struck by a vehicle while responding to an emergency incident in Riverside County. Douglas, who has been with CAL FIRE for nearly a decade, worked out of Fire Station 35 in Thousand Palms.
Cards can be sent to the family in care of:
The Douglas Family
c/o CDF Firefighters Local 2881
21160 Box Springs Rd Suite #105
Moreno Valley, CA 92557
Due to the overwhelming response of the public and partnering public safety agencies, CDF Firefighters Local 2881 has established a site dedicated to those who wish to make a donation to benefit the Douglas family: https://firefamilyfoundation.org/tributes/chris-douglas/.
Christopher Douglas CAL FIRE RVC Last Alarm 7/5/2013~
Douglas, 41, of Temecula was fatally injured while responding to a traffic collision along Interstate 10 near the Thousand Palms area in Riverside County. He was an eight-year veteran of CAL FIRE.
Douglas is survived by his wife, Amy, who is pregnant, and their two-year-old son, Samuel. Christopher is also survived his siblings, Martin Douglas and family of Colorado Springs, Heather Douglas of Denver, mother, Rose Porter of Colorado Springs, and his in-laws, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken of Newport Beach, and sister in law Jessica Carroll & her family of Costa Mesa, and sister in law Veronica Herrington and family from Newport Beach.
In honor of Engineer Christopher Douglas, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
His career spanned over 9 1/2 years with eight years service credit as a veteran firefighter for CAL FIRE.
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