HolyCoast: "I Ran All the Way Here"
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Thursday, September 23, 2010

"I Ran All the Way Here"

James Owen, the OCFA firefighter who died suddenly last week during a training exercise, had been with the OCFA for 30 years and early in his career worked the Air California crash at John Wayne Airport. I thought this story recounted in the OC Register was telling:
During tense situations, Owen had a sparkle in his eyes alongside his dedication to saving other people's lives.

During the response to the Air California plane crash at John Wayne Airport in February 1981, Kerr questioned Owen on why he showed up out of breath.

"I was in the can," Owen responded. "And you guys left without me. So I ran all the way here."

That same day, Owen, who was tending to airplane passengers, was blown out of the aircraft when a second explosion was ignited. Despite suffering the full force of the blast in his face, Owen insisted that he had to tend to those in the airplane, according to Kerr.

He later received a certificate of merit from the Board of Supervisors for his bravery, Kerr said.
That's a guy who was dedicated to his job.

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