Nearby CA Departments Help Out after Firefighters' Deaths
By Ashleigh Panoo
Source The Fresno Bee
The Merced Fire Department joined several other departments across the Central Valley to keep the Porterville Fire Department staffed as they grieve the loss of two of their own.
Merced firefighters were scheduled to take up duties in Porterville on Monday and Tuesday, as Porterville firefighters take time off to grieve.
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Crews in Sanger, Clovis and Bakersfield have also taken posts in Porterville, responding to calls and keeping the community safe.
Fire Capt. Ramon “Ray” Figueroa and firefighter Patrick Jones were killed Tuesday, after a fire destroyed the city library and burned into the night. The two died while making sure no one was inside the 67-year-old building.
In custody are two 13-year-olds who allegedly started the fire intentionally.
Figueroa, 35, was a 13-year veteran and father of two. Jones, 25, had been a full-time firefighter for about three years, and leaves behind a fiancé.
A memorial service honoring both Figueroa and Jones is set for 11 a.m. Friday at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene. Uniformed personnel are welcome to attend.
A visitation and rosary was held for Figueroa on Monday and Mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal in Delano. The public is invited to attend. Following Mass, Figueroa will be buried at the North Kern Cemetery District at 627 Austin St., according to the Porterville Fire Department.
Services for Jones have not been announced.
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