A fire service icon and champion of fire prevention, former California Fire Marshal Ronny J. Coleman has died.
In 1978, then San Clemente Chief Coleman managed to get his city to do something no one had ever done -- sign a law requiring builders to put sprinklers in new homes.
He said he didn't let the naysayers discourage him from promoting sprinklers to San Clemente officials. He pointed out when the measure passed, it was one of his proudest moments.
After 13 years at the helm in San Clemente, he donned the white helmet in Fullerton. Later, he was California Fire Marshal from 1992-2000.
In 2011, he was presented the Mason Lankford Award by the Congressional Fire Service Institute.
Accepting the honor, he thanked the members of the fire service who "led me, inspired me and follow me..."
He also was instrumental in establishing the National Fire Heritage Center. where he served as president for many years.
Among the historic treasures on display when it opened in Emmitsburg on 2011 were the log books from the first-due fire department that responded to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Visitors had the opportunity to see the documents from Virginia and Pennsylvania departments that responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The FDNY book hasn't been located.
“It is our desire that we have created this archive of the perishable, the ideas, the words and even the thoughts of those that labored to protect the world from a force that has existed since the dawn of time. We can do no less than to recognize these individuals as being heroes in their own time and icons to be followed into the future,” he told the crowd at the opening ceremony in 2011.
NVFC Vice President Billy Shelton remembered Coleman as a charismatic leader who was always vibrant, smiling and happy.
"You just don't see someone with charisma like Ronny possessed...He and Marie were just a dynamic team. They were amazing..."
Shelton added: "As a young firefighter, I loved reading his books and clipboard. He inspired me...This is a tough loss..."
A tribute to Coleman will be hosted in Elk Grove in the coming week. Funeral services will follow in San Clemente, with a date to be announced.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to National Heritage Fire Museum or the California Fire Museum & Safety Learning Center.
