|
Posted by: thepinetree on 09/06/2021 01:39 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 09/06/2021 01:39 PM
Expires: 01/01/2026 12:00 AM
:
USDA Forest Service Mourns the Passing of Two Employees, Firefighting Heroes
Vallejo, CA...USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) mourns the passing of two of our agency’s “family members” and heroes in the firefighting community –Allen Johnson and Marcus Pacheco. Losing any member of our Forest Service family is a heartbreak for each one of us – let alone two in a week. Words cannot express the sorrow felt across the federal firefighting community, and for the loved ones and friends of these two men.
Allen Johnson dedicated over 40 years of his life working throughout Region 5 to the Forest Service mission and was working to protect life and property during this unprecedented fire year at the time of his passing.
Allen worked for many years on the Stanislaus National Forest, spending most of his career on the Groveland Ranger District. He led out on fire and fuels management – and continued to make a difference with many years of service through the local firesafe council and other community efforts throughout his retirement. He continued to be part of fire suppression after retirement through his role on an Incident Management Team. Allen was known as a mentor and friend for any that had the opportunity to cross paths with him. He was best known as a giver and a leader, both personally and professionally. Allen was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Marcus Pacheco dedicated his life to firefighting and served the Forest Service and other agencies in working to protect all Californians during this unprecedented fire year.
Marcus served for thirty years of firefighting in many roles for multiple agencies.
He currently has been working with the Forest Service as an Assistant Fire Engine Operator on the Almanor while also assuming the role of Training Officer for the Standish-Litchfield Fire Protection District. He was very active in the Forest Service and the community at large. From school education programs to fighting fire, Marcus always showed up and lent a hand. Marcus will be mourned by all that knew and cared for him.
No further details are available at this time on their passing.
The Forest Service manages 18 National Forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, which encompasses over 20 million acres across California, and assists State and Private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S.
Affiliated Pacific Islands. National forests supply 50 percent of the water in California and form the watershed of most major aqueducts and more than 2,400 reservoirs throughout the state. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/R5.
###
|
| Comments - Make a comment |
| The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content. We value free speech but remember this is a public forum and we hope that people would use common sense and decency. If you see an offensive comment please email us at news@thepinetree.net
No Subject
Posted on: 2021-09-06 15:09:36
By: Anonymous
|
|
Thank you for your service, gentlemen. Prayers for friends and loved ones left behind.
[Reply
]
|
Re:
Posted on: 2021-09-06 17:09:46
By: Anonymous
|
|
Reading around it appears at least one of these men (Johnson), died of covid while engaged in firefighting recently. It may be the case for Mr. Pacheco also. Additionally, another person, a contractor on the fire is said to have died, alone, in a hotel room, presumably from covid also.
It seems the USFS is doing it's best to shove all this under the rug to avoid discussions about workplace safety and it's culpability.
[Reply
]
|
Re:
Posted on: 2021-09-06 19:42:39
By: Anonymous
|
|
But you are helping.
[Reply
]
|
No Subject
Posted on: 2021-09-06 21:29:13
By: Anonymous
|
|
Allen Johnson passed away earlier this week due to complications of COVID-19 while assigned to the French Fire near Kernville, CA. He had been hospitalized in Bakersfield. The USFS was quite transparent about the reasons for Mr. Johnson’s death, as reported in Wildfire Today on 9/5/2021.
Marcus Pacheco was assistant fire engine operator for the Lassen NF with 30 years of fire experience. He passed away Sept. 2 from what the USFS is calling an "unspecified illness". His death is still being investigated.
It’s worth considering that there are many factors at work here, no the least of which are the wishes of their families with respect to how much information they’d like to heap into the gaping maw of American social media.
Rest peacefully, and may your families find some consolation in the pride at your accomplishments.
[Reply
]
|
|
| What's Related |
| These might interest you as well
Photo Albums
Local News
Calendar
phpws Business Directory
|
|
|
