Pinning July 08

Sorry if you missed the pinning. Here are a few shots from the event. If you would like to purchase some pictures feel free to CLICK HERE FOR ORDERING PICTURES. Enjoy the Slideshow below.

Tony Braun Retires

Tony you will be missed.

He Writes:

Well it is finally here. A bitter sweet moment. A day that pales in excitement to the day I was hired some 30 years ago. I didn't have to work as hard to get here as I did to land the job of my dreams. I have been truly blessed beyond my wildest dreams. It has truly been my pleasure to have been a Firefighter and I am extremely grateful to my Savior and Creator to have kept me well enough to see this day. My only regret is that I don't have the energy to spend another 30 years serving in this capacity. I will however be involved with the Explorers and the Honor Guard, if they will have me or we don't change our coats to those worn by the few the proud the......... otherwise I will have to exchange my keg for a six-pack if you know what I mean.

I hope I have left you all a few colorful stories to share at the kitchen table regarding my illustrious career. I leave with the realization that my successes were only due to those who trained and led me into accomplishing my desires and I can only hope that through it all, I have done the same. It is, after all, all of you that makes this Fire Department one of the best there is and to think I got paid to do this. Well I was hoping this would be short because I know how annoying long memos (and SOPs) are, boring. So to all of you I bid you farewell in this chapter of my live and look forward to keeping in touch one way or another in the next chapter.

Continue on my brothers and sisters and remember what I have always said, This organization will not tolerate failure.

Sincerely,

Captain Evil (ETB), aka Captain Caffeine and of course Rosebud.

Love you all.

Tony giving a rookie some last minute advice.

Tony with Dr. Evil

Then came the roasting from Chief Pentz.

Now that your retired what do you plan to do Tony?

Ahhhh. Start up his new Harley Fire Fighting company.

A last minute shot with the crew at 5's.

We will miss you Tony.

Happy Retirement Chief Fisher

On Monday July 14 Chief Fisher Retired after 32 years. We will miss him around these parts.

Retired Chief Fisher writes:

Ever since I announced my retirement I've had people ask me, "Are you sure you're ready to retire?" "Aren't you going to miss all this?" And now that the day is here, I'll admit it's a little weird. I've been doing this my entire adult life and it is going to be strange not to put on the uniform anymore.

The truth is I've known for a very long time that I'm one of the lucky ones. Most people just get up and go their job every day, and I think the vast majority would much rather be doing something else. But for 32 years I have had the honor of working at a profession that I truly love. And quite frankly, if I had it to do over again I'd be the first in line to sign up for a fire academy.

I have had the privilege of learning from and working with some amazing firefighters ---- some long retired and others still proudly wearing the RFD patch on their shoulder. And I believe I've done my fair share of influencing others over the years, perhaps not always a positive influence --- but an influence none the less. In fact, I might have had some part in trying to teach others how to incorporate barking dog Christmas carols into the 1930 hrs radio test. Fortunately it never caught on.

So while it is weird to be retiring, what makes it a little easier is that I leave with no regrets. I've had a great career and I've loved every minute of it. Water fights at any given moment, shooting hoops behind the station, playing cards into the wee hours of the morning, and having a small part in a few practical jokes. And in between all that, we fought fires, protected property, saved lives, and helped the citizens of this community in some of their most trying times.

Just for the record, between my dad and I, Riverside has been protected by a Fisher for the past 48 years. Both my boys hope to one day have the same honor, but they're a few years away from making that a reality ---- so try and hold things together until they get here.

I consider it an honor to have worked with each and every one of you and I thank you for putting up with me.

Mike Fisher


Some images from his life.

Pictures from Humbolt Fire

Pictures from the initial deployment of the Type 3 OES Strike Team 6808C. The pictures were taken during their assignment on the Humbolt fire in Butte County. E14C crew was Bauer, Arias, Clark and Kaessner.

Press Enterprise Shots of our Burn

Looking for more content.

Check out this link to the Press Enterpise's Amanda Lucidon. She photographed our burn day.

Click here for link