Ever since their heroic efforts after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks, it was hard to imagine the respect for firefighters climbing
any higher.
That was until last month, when wind-whipped wildfires swept
through Southern California hillsides and forests, turning once
scenic landscape and homes into cinder and killing some 20 people.
Again, firefighters had to dig deep and perform miracles in
sometimes unimaginable situations. They fought the flames valiantly
and did their level best to save homes and human lives from a fiery
destruction.
That's not to say the fire didn't win a major battle.
At last count, about 750,000 acres of land were burned, 3,500
homes destroyed, 22 people killed, 174 injured and 95,000 people
evacuated.
And after it's all said and done, it will cost $2 billion to clean
it up.
Nearly 13,000 firefighters responded, one paying the ultimate
price.
And when the call came, Huntington Beach firefighters answered, as
well.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department dispatched four engines and
25 of its 140 firefighters. Two engines went to San Bernardino, one
to Simi Valley, and one to San Diego. Each engine has a captain, an
engineer and two firefighter-paramedics.
Our local firefighting teams proved once again how priceless they
are.
They proved that they are willing to risk their lives to keep our
cities and homes safe and protect land and property from destruction.
We hardly needed such a dramatic reminder of firefighters'
dedication, but it's good to know that when the moment comes, we have
the very best in fire protection.
We can't thank them enough.
