October 19 - The San Bernardino County Fire Department is proud to announce the addition of three firefighters to the California Fire Foundation’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Sacramento. The three individuals are Engineer Eddie Keen, Paid-Call Fire Captain Vance Tomaselli, and Captain Vance Caswell of the Victorville Fire Department (now part of the county fire department). Their names were among 82 that were added to the memorial on Saturday the 17th. That memorial now includes the names of over 1,000 firefighters from throughout California who have lost their lives in the line of duty either from injury sustained while on duty or from disease attributed to the job.

Engineer Eddie Keen served the county fire department for over 30 years. He lost his battle with illness attributed to the job on July 14th of 2008. Eddie was known for his good natured pranks that he pulled on other firefighters. Eddie’s dad, R.J. Keen, was also a firefighter and his efforts as Fire Chief led to the formation of the county fire department.

Paid-Call Fire Captain Vance Tomaselli served the county in the community of Angelus Oaks for 28 years. He died on February 16th, 2008 when he suffered a stroke while responding to a structure fire in that area. During his time with the department, Vance played the role of mentor to many young and upcoming firefighters.

Captain Vance Caswell of the Victorville Fire Department served the desert community for 28 years before he lost his battle with cancer attributed to job on August 1st, 2005. Incidentally, Vance first noticed symptoms of a problem while battling the Old Fire of 2003.

While we mourned the loss of these men, who were good friends to many and brothers to all of us firefighters, we are proud to know that they will be forever remembered on the Fallen Firefighter Memorial.

For more information on the non-profit California Fire Foundation and the memorial, please visit their website at cafirefoundation.org.