OCFA Handcrew

Celebrating Our Handcrew Firefighters and OCFA Academy Graduates! ~Strength in Service~ Three of our own Handcrew Firefighters have officially graduated from OCFA’s 60th Academy! Through our Crew-2-Career program, we’ve had the privilege of mentoring and preparing them for a successful journey in the fire service. Their hard work and dedication make us incredibly proud. They join the graduates of OCFA’s rigorous 19-week academy, which includes nearly 800 hours of intensive training. These new firefighters are ready to serve and protect our communities with courage, commitment, and excellence. Welcome to the OCFA family—your perseverance and passion inspire us all! A heartfelt thank-you to the incredible cadre of instructors who poured their time and expertise into shaping this new generation of firefighters. Your impact is immeasurable. #OCFA #OrangeCountyFireAuthority #Firefighter #OCFirefighter #FireDepartment #Firefighters #InServiceOfOthers #Crew2Career

A career in the fire service means a career of continuing education. The latest & greatest, maintaining proficiencies in skills and abilities, or learning from the past. Studying past fires that involved injuries or fatalities to firefighters is a regular topic we hear from our members, but it's not every day you're lucky enough to have an eyewitness speak to their perspective. 3 of our members studied the Calabasas Fire, which burned nearly 15k acres in the Santa Monica Mountains initially fueled by Santa Ana Winds in October of 1996. A number of firefighters were injured from various agencies. Injuries ranged from critical burns to smoke inhalation. El Toro Handcrew was fortunate enough to welcome Greg Kidman to assist with the presentation. The grandfather to one of your members and witness to the events on October 22, 1996. Greg Kidman spent 35 years with the Los Angeles County Fire Department serving as a Fire Suppression Aid Foreman. Hearing his account of that incident and getting firsthand knowledge of operations bring such an in-depth learning experience and overall better quality of training for our members. Thank you Foreman Kidman! #OCFA #OCFireAuthority #JoinOCFA #InServiceOfOthers #MissionDrivenCulture @OCFirefighters @ocfireauthority

Happy Thanksgiving from your OCFA El Toro and Santiago Handcrews! As this challenging year comes to a close, we are thankful for our strength and our resilience, the support from our families, friends and colleagues, the support of our community, and the opportunity to serve and protect. While many gather with loved ones, we remain ready to respond, dedicated to keeping our community safe. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving! #OCFA #ElToroHandcrew #SantiagoHandcrew #Thanksgiving #inserviceofothers

Thank You, Troop 4398! This week, Troop 4398 from Robinson Ranch visited our OCFA Santiago Handcrew to present a generous donation to the Fallen Firefighter Relief Fund, directly supporting those impacted by the recent vehicle rollover. Troop 4398 started their journey as Kindergartners at Robinson Ranch Elementary and have been a dedicated team for an incredible nine years. They shared their heartfelt gratitude for our commitment to protecting the community—a sentiment that deeply touches us. On this Thanksgiving Eve we thank you, Troop 4398, for your kindness, support, and recognition of our efforts. Together, we keep our community strong! #girlscoutsoforangecounty #troop4398 #ocfa #inserviceofothers

Earlier today, Andrew Brown, one of the eight OCFA Hand Crew members injured in the rollover accident on September 19th, returned to Orange County after six weeks of successful rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado. Accompanied on his flight home by several OCFA firefighters, Andrew walked into the arms of his family and friends awaiting his arrival at John Wayne Airport. Andrew’s recovery — and the courage and strength driving it — is as miraculous as it is inspiring. In Andrew’s words, he didn’t get here alone. He is quick to thank his family, OCFA, Local 3631, the Benevolent Association, and the seven Hand Crew firefighters who endured the accident with him, citing their support of each other and the need to continue rallying around them, particularly the one injured member who remains at Craig Hospital. We want to thank everyone for inspiring our injured Hand Crew Firefighters, including through your support of the fund set up in their name: fallenfirefighterrelieffund.org/ocfahandcrew (link in bio). @OCFA_Benevolent_Association @JohnWayneAir @CraigHospital @ProvidenceCalifornia

Today, we honor and express our deepest gratitude to all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to protecting our freedom. Our OCFA Handcrews, are proud to stand alongside veterans who bring their courage and teamwork from the battlefield to the fireline. Your commitment to defending our country and preserving the freedoms we cherish inspires us every day. Thank you for your service and for continuing to protect our communities. #VeteransDay #OCFAHandcrews #ThankYouForOurFreedom #ServiceAndSacrifice #inserviceofothers #NoCopyrightInfringementIntended

At OCFA’s October 24th Board of Directors meeting, @OrangeCityFire Department Captain Carl Collins was honored for his off-duty heroism the night of the accident involving our Hand Crew. During the recognition, Captain Collins was re-united with some of the injured firefighters whose lives he helped save, a special moment that underscored the deep familial ties that bind all firefighters – on duty and off.

Yesterday, one of the eight members of our Hand Crew Firefighters injured in the rollover accident on September 19th transitioned from OC Global to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado.   A Squad Boss, husband, and new father, he was accompanied by family, friends, and fellow firefighters every step of the transition, and the love and support radiating toward him was matched only by the strength and courage emanating from him. Just last month, he hiked into the Airport Fire with 45 pounds of gear on his back and the hopes of a community on his shoulders – not because that is his job, but because it is his calling, and we are grateful to everyone now reciprocating that service and selflessness by keeping him in your hearts during this difficult time.   He transitioned to the same world-renowned neurorehabilitation center that OCFA Hand Crew Firefighter Andrew Brown transitioned to on October 2nd, giving the facility a built-in OCFA Family presence that will undoubtedly provide added comfort and care.   Also yesterday, another one of our injured Hand Crew Firefighters, who has been healing at Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center since October 2nd, was released and returned home.   The OCFA, our Benevolent Association, Local 3631, and our extended fire family were integral to both transitions, and our collective support will continue for each of our injured hand crew members on every step of the journey ahead.   Please keep all of them in your hearts, and thank you for your ongoing support, including through the fund set up in their name (link in our bio).

Photo: Andrew Brown while fighting the Lake Fire this summer, the Santiago hand crew came by Bullkelp headquarters to stock up on some gear .**Bullkelp/Wildland Pro is donating 100% of the proceeds of our Mystery Ranch wildland bedroll to the crewmembers that were injured In the horrific accident the night of September 19th while coming home from fighting the airport fire. I’m asking any fire personnel , friends and family to purchase your mystery ranch bedroll online between October 5, 2024 to October 12, 2024 . Let’s see how much money we can raise to support the crew when they need it most. Thank you in advance.- Pete & Jaye Ganibi Bullkelp/Wildland Wildlandpro.com Bullkelp.com #wildlandfirefighter #firedepartment #firefighter #hotshot #firerescue #firefighter #firefighters #fundraiser

Earlier today, Will McCabe, one of the eight OCFA Hand Crew Firefighters injured in the accident on September 19th, was released from Mission Hospital in the company of family, friends, and fellow firefighters. Like all eight of our injured Hand Crew Firefighters, Will continues to personify the determination and courage that is synonymous with the Santiago Hand Crew. As Will begins the next phase of healing under the care of his family, the OCFA, our Benevolent Association, and Local 3631 will continue to support him and all our injured Hand Crew Firefighters – one of whom is still in the hospital. Please keep all of them in your hearts and visit FallenFireFighterReliefFund.org/OCFAHandCrew (link in bio) to support them and their families during this difficult time. #SantiagoStrong

Yesterday, two of our injured hand crew members transitioned from the hospital to rehabilitation centers, including Andrew Brown. A soon-to-be father and son of an OCFA firefighter, Andrew was surrounded by friends, family, and fellow firefighters throughout the transition — from the procession to John Wayne Airport; the send-off from Orange County; and his arrival at Craig Hospital, a world-renowned center in Colorado that specializes in neurorehabilitation, including for patients with the type of spinal injuries he suffered. Later in the day, another one of our injured hand crew members transitioned from OC Global to a Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey, and he, too, was surrounded by a close-knit group of family, friends, and firefighters. The OCFA, our Benevolent Association, Local 3631, and our extended fire family were integral to these transitions, and our collective support will continue for each of our injured hand crew members (two of whom are still in the hospital) on every step of the journey ahead. Please keep all of them in your hearts and visit FallenFireFighterReliefFund.org/OCFAHandCrew (link in bio) to support them and their families during this difficult time. @iafflocal2086 @southmetropio @ocfahandcrew #SantiagoStrong

**** Update **** From year to year, we come together quickly, forming a bond that’s deeper than words. I might show it to you, but you’d never truly see it. The privilege to witness this bond isn’t given to everyone—and it’s not something to envy. Only those who have endured, who’ve faced profound suffering, can understand it. Their eyes have been opened to something few will ever know. Right now, our brothers and sisters are in pain. But they are strong. They’ve shown incredible resilience, healing quicker than expected, and finding moments to smile. But we’re not done yet. We’re nowhere near tied in. Our fire families have rallied behind us, answering the call without hesitation. This is what it means to be part of something greater. Only a few truly understand... and that’s okay. Out of the eight injured, four of our Handcrew Firefighters have now been released. While they have some physical therapy ahead before returning to full duty, their progress is a testament to their strength and determination. The last four are still in the hospital, with conditions ranging from stable to critical. The strides they’ve made in such a short time are nothing short of extraordinary. The road ahead is long, but these brave souls have already proven they’re tougher than anyone could have imagined. Keep sending your strength, love, and support to these warriors and their families. We’re in this together, and we’re not stopping until they’re all back on their feet. We thank everyone for their love, prayers, and hugs. Keep them coming. #ocfa #inserviceofothers #missiondrivenculture #ocfireauthority #handcrewsandhelicopters #ocfahandcrews #loveandsupport #firefamily