Firefighters shot while responding to call praised for courage, service
Coeur d’Alene Firefighter Gabe Eckert remembers the last conversation he had with Battalion Chief John Morrison.
It was two weeks ago, when the two men had a rare lull at the fire station and sat down on the back patio.
“We talked about being better fathers, we talked about being better leaders, we talked about being better firefighters,” Eckert said. “I am so incredibly grateful that gets to be my last memory with him.”
Eckert, president of the Coeur d'Alene Firefighters IAFF Local 710, addressed the media during a press conference Monday to talk about the firefighters shot at Canfield Mountain on Sunday.
Morrison, 52, and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, died while Coeur d’Alene firefighter/engineer Dave Tysdal, 47, was wounded and remains at Kootenai Health in stable condition after undergoing two surgeries.
All three were described as good, brave men who loved their careers.
Harwood had been with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue for 17 years. Morrison was with Coeur d'Alene Fire Department for 28 years and Tysdal has been there 23 years.
“I want you to know, these were dedicated men and they were dedicated to this community,” Eckert said.
"These guys were hard workers. They loved their families," he added.
Chris Way, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue chief, said they wanted to honor the lives of the men who were killed when “an unimaginable and unthinkable tragedy took place.”
Harwood was married with two children. The former Army National Guard combat engineer was a strong leader and shift commander who did an amazing job, Way said.
“He was well respected,” Way said.
Coeur d’Alene City Councilor and the city's former fire chief Kenny Gabriel knew Morrison and watched him start his career.
He said while Morrison was an outstanding firefighter, what he will remember most about him was how much he loved his wife, cherished his son and would do anything for his friends.
“He was there for them. That's the essence of John Morrison,” Gabriel said.
Justin Zabel, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Local 2856, said what is often overlooked is the overwhelming love and support firefighters receive from the people they serve.
“Love inspired Morrison and Harwood to answer the call in service to their families, union brothers and sisters and the place they called home,” Zabel said. “They made the ultimate sacrifice in that service.”
He said the men and women of locals 710 and 2856 “will continue to answer that call, “because it’s who we are and it’s how we honor the memories of our brothers who gave their lives doing the job they loved in service to others.”
Eckert said the outpouring of community support has been incredible and helped them through what happened.
Way agreed.
“We truly appreciate and feel the love our community is sending to us right now,” he said.
Coeur d’Alene Mayor Woody McEvers said the city stands with the firefighters and their families.
“We still are in shock and struggling to understand why someone would target selfless public servants,” he said.
McEvers said firefighters face difficult and dangerous jobs with courage and honor.
“I’m proud of them,” he said.
Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif said what happened Sunday was “absolutely the darkest day" either one of these organizations has ever faced due to an “unimaginable act.”
He said firefighters will have "heightened awareness" when responding to future calls.
Greif said the city will provide support and mental health resources for personnel and families, “greatly impacted by this tragic event.”
"It's going to be a long road," he said.
For now, Way said they want to focus on the families of firefighters but down the road, he said they want to take a deep dive into how they respond to calls.
"I don’t now if we’re ever going to be able to guarantee people peace of mind at least for a while after an incident like that but we are taking every measure we can to ensure the safety of our officers," Way said.
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Tysdal
Harwood