LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: In support of first responders...

A horrific tale unfolded in Coeur d’Alene this past weekend when a man set a wildfire near Canfield Mountain and Nettleton Gulch to draw out firefighters to respond to the event, then began firing at them.  

Two courageous firefighters lost their lives and another was hospitalized after the event.  

The suspect, now deceased, didn’t have an obvious motive from what local authorities have so far released, but regardless of the reason, the killing of two firefighters and attack on others, as well as law enforcement officers who responded to the incident is unconscionable — not to mention unfathomable.  

My father was a firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service, a security policeman in the Air Force and a reserve deputy. Growing up, the sheriff, deputies, Forest Service crew members and EMTs were around the house regularly. Some were soft spoken. Some were course. Some were mentors. Some men. Some women. All of them were wonderful.  

From what my fellow journalists at the Coeur d’Alene Press have been able to determine, Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood were much like my father’s friends. They cared about their communities deeply — enough to put their lives on the line fighting home fires, wildfires, industrial fires and anything else that may come along. Their colleague, Dave Tysdal, an engineer with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, who survived and was listed in critical condition Monday, was the same.  

Our local firefighting and law enforcement agencies have released statements of support for the first responders in a community that, from Pacific Northwest standards, is full of what I think of as long-distance neighbors. Undoubtedly, several of our local agencies have worked with folks in Idaho at some point when firefighting needs brought them together. Just like in the military, being a firefighter, police officer, dispatcher or EMT is to be a part of a special community that jointly feels the pain of losses such as those that occurred over the weekend.  

In the newsroom here at the Columbia Basin Herald, we’ve all felt more than a little heartbroken for the community of Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, especially its first responders who have been struck a blow in a way that made at least one of our reporters simply say, “What is wrong with people today?”  

I wish I had an answer for that question. To me, though, I try to see hope in the way Fred Rogers, the late children’s television program host, told us we should. I look for the helpers, and in so doing, I find hope.  

First off, people from throughout the PNW have come together to rally around the two departments who lost their brothers. Kind words, prayers, care packages, expressions of love and support have flooded into that community over the last few days from both fellow firefighting agencies and the region — even the nation — as a whole. Knowing that most people are good at heart and pull together as a community in crisis helps me keep from being completely disheartened when incidents such as this occur.  

The other helpers I look to are the first responders and their response to the tragedy at Canfield Mountain. The way they have handled the loss with grace, dedication, dignity, professionalism and a rededication to their callings inspires me. I hope it inspires you as well. The grace and solemn love expressed by our local firefighters for their comrades tells me they’re dedicated to uplifting their fellow firefighters and mourn with them.  

Tragedies such as what happened this past weekend are gut-wrenching, and we all wish we knew of a way to prevent such horrifying situations from happening. There’s no magic wand, but there are those who will never give up, and I think now is the time we look to those folks for hope and rally around them for support.  

If you see a firefighter, law enforcement officer, EMT or dispatcher out and about, remember to take a moment to thank them and show your support. Let them know that we appreciate their dedication, compassion and sense of duty. 

Another simple thing, especially this close to Independence Day, is for us to all remember to exercise extreme caution this fire season. Keep the fireworks under control, don’t burn during the burn ban and take a look around your home to see how it can be safer from a fire prevention standpoint. It’s the least we could do for those willing to give up their lives to keep us safe. 

Be kind and hug your families. 

With appreciation for all who wear a uniform,  
R. Hans “Rob” Miller
Managing Editor
Columbia Basin Herald
Basin Business Journal