Learning of the loss of Chief Dan Packer in the Panther Fire caught so many of us off guard. Details are still coming in ... Here is one of the accounts of the incident that claimed one of ours ...
(Secret List) ... Chief of East Pierce (WA) Fire and Rescue, Chief Packer was supervising firefighting efforts in the area in California as a member of an interagency emergency management team battling the
blaze. His position was overrun by a wildfire following an unexpected
shift in the wind. More updates to follow.
Check this:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/372400_firedeath28.html
This LODD came just hours after Olympic National Park FF AndrewPalmer was killed by a falling tree while fighting the separate Eagle fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
And ...
East Pierce Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Packer killed in California wildfirePublished: July 28, 2008 2:00 PM
Updated: July 28, 2008 3:07 PM
By Dennis Box
The Courier-Herald
Fire Chief Dan Packer of East Pierce Fire and Rescue died Saturday in a wildfire in northern California.
The 49-year-old Packer was preparing to take over the division supervisor duties for the Panther Fire south of Happy Camp in Siskiyou County in northern California.
Assistant Chief Russ McCallion said Packer was “scouting the fire when the incident happened. The fire blew up and blew over him. It was incredibly rapid and Chief Packer was overrun.”
Packer was with another firefighter during the incident. Both deployed a shelter when the wind shifted and the fire overtook them. The other firefighter survived, but was injured.
The Panther Fire is part of the Siskiyou complex fire near Yreka, Calif. The wildfire has burned more than 50,000 acres.
East Pierce was informed of the chief’s possible death at 10 p.m. Saturday.
McCallion said a Department of Natural Resources liaison contacted Deputy Chief John McDonald about the chief. Because of the intensity of the fire, the death could not be confirmed until crews could get to the site.
A service crew of four was able to get to the scene Sunday and recover the body, confirming the chief’s death.
McCallion said East Pierce has dispatched two officers to “escort Chief Packer back to the jurisdiction.”
McDonald called an emergency meeting with all the East Pierce personnel at 8 a.m. Sunday.
McCallion said while the members met, the surrounding jurisdictions helped with any service calls.
“East Pierce is devastated and stunned,” McCallion said. “But we continue to perform our duties.”
Packer and McDonald are members of a Washington state-based incident management team. The team can respond to disasters all over the nation including wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and searches.
The chief was considered one of the nation’s experts on wildfires.
McCallion pointed out the experience of managing disasters is crucial and helps East Pierce become better prepared for major incidents.
Assistant Chief Dave Wakefield described Packer as “a firefighter’s fire chief. Not only could he mix with the command staff, but with the people on the line and the newest recruit. His door was always open.”
McCallion said Packer was a “visionary and he could communicate his vision.
“He could get out front and lead and everyone would follow,” he said. “And you just can’t overestimate how instrumental he was in creating East Pierce.”
Packer, a Lake Tapps resident, grew up in Montana. Before becoming a fireman he was a bull rider on the rodeo circuit.
He began his career as a firefighter in 1981 in Burien. Packer took on the duties of fire chief in Bonney Lake in 1995. Under his leadership and vision, the chief transformed the department of six firefighters into the East Pierce fire district with 100 firefighters and support staff and more than 40 volunteers. The district serves nearly 75,000 people and covers the areas of Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, the Ridge Communities, South Prairie and Wilkeson, about 142 square miles.
Packer is survived by his wife, four daughters, two grandchildren and his mother.
East Pierce will be posting information concerning the memorial on its Web site at www.eastpiercefire.org or check the Courier-Herald Web site for information.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.
Although we knew him only through events, we knew him to be a very supportive guy. He and I spoke at length at an event last summer. He joked and messed with the young firefighters there with him, and spoke from his heart about the importance of keeping up troop morale.
Ironically, we spoke about how dangerous it was for the troops, and that the firefighters were so much more protected. Don't think for a moment that he downplayed the risks of firefighting - he did not. But he showed his heart in all he said.
His memorial is yet to come, and I can't say I look forward to seeing our heroes in the tears that are sure to fall.
God speed Dan. You are already missed.
lj
Jack's wife is such a nice woman -- by the way, Jack apparently robbed the cradle, she is 40 years his junior! They related the story that when they took up with each other the only thing she wasn't happy with was his age, but there was nothing she could do about that. So when they married she told him he had to live at least 10 years. They've been together 32 years already -- looks like he's kept up his end of the agreement.
We presented Jack with a "box of Canada". There were shirts from Kevin McHarg representing for Sarnia Fire, and another from Paul Beames for Toronto. Also in the box were some of the goodies we accumulated on the tour. Jack enjoyed all of it. Another gift was the DVD from the tour. Dorothy says Jack will be able to watch the computer screen to see his home. We are very happy to bring him smiles to remind him of home. 
To close the distance a little bit, we called Kevin and surprised him with a conversation with Jack & Dorothy. Hopefully one day they will all meet, but we better do it soon -- Kevin isn't getting any younger!
We hope to have the real story, or at least a message from Jack to share withyou all, courtesy of Dorothy. We'll post it for Jack and all of the first responders who asked for this meeting.
<<We presented Jack with a Director's coin, as well as both of the RCMP Fallen Hero coins for Constables Doug Scott & Christopher Worden. Not sure which of us was more proud!
I wasn't there at the start of their day ... Because they started their day early! (Tellin ya, these guys are animals! lol) But they were still at it late in the afternoon. From all I saw and heard, this was a wonderful time for all. 
They were tired, hot & sweaty, and lovin' it!
They seem to fit in perfectly with our demographic, and are always very supportive of our troops as well. Besides, they do a pretty good BadAss shot!
After dinner it was time to head over to Argosy Cruises on the Seattle waterfront, where we boarded one of the ships and began an evening cruise of Elliott Bay. Again, big kudos to the Weather Gods! Perfect night to be on the water. No jackets needed, it was great.
C'mon folks, they are called FOOLS, afterall. ( ;
I met some amazing heroes tonight. 
Not a one of them would claim the 
But as we've said before, you might not know the exact definition of a hero, but you can never mistake one when you meet one. 
And trust me folks, this room met its quota.
Unlike other events, when the members of the board, or the "higher ups" show up, and the room gets a little quiet. When the Founders were introduced there was loud applause and cheers for them.
Bobby Halton was one of the most enjoyable I've heard in a long time. He spoke passionately of tradition and reminded us all of its true meaning. He had us laughing and reflecting. It never got too heavy and he could have gone on for much longer with very few objections from the audience.
And it was great!
Firefighters, and local citizens came and helped raise funds to keep the Firefighter traditions alive here in the great Puget Sound region ... And have a great Joeseppi's dinner!
The fun began at 4pm, and went till just after 8:30pm. A great time was had by all. 
Some won great prizes donated by the local community, including the PCFFP&D shirt Kasey Kahne signed for Karen Leming at his recent return home. The HD radio donated by Nissan of Fife was very appreciated. 
<< Always a crowd favorite and the perfect gift for the golfer in your world! Check it out. Of course it was a ll just right and added the perfect touch to the night.
One of the special touches was when our own **(See below) Miss Washington, Elyse Umemoto made an appearance, and even sang Happy Birthday to a couple of the guests.
Joe & Carol Stortini will make you feel right at home. Even more, if you have a great community cause and need to raise funds, be sure to check with them and see how they can help. Not bad ... good food, good company, and ... fundraiser potential. Niiiice!