As the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the Porterville Public Library approaches, the national effort to honor the two Porterville firefighters who died fighting the fire continues.
Porterville firefighters Captain Raymond Figueroa and Patrick Jones died fighting the fire that broke out on February 18, 2020. Ruck For the Fallen provided hero flags in honor of Jones and Figueroa.
“These flags are traveling together and are going westwards and are signed by departments that end up returning home,” said the organization. “We can’t thank these incredible firefighters enough for taking the time to help Ruck for the Fallen honor these two heroes.”
Earlier this month, the flags were handed over by the South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association to the Lugoff Fire Department, the Lugoff Fire Department, the Columbia Fire Department and then to the West Columbia Fire Department. in South Carolina.
The heroes’ flag days can be followed by visiting https://www.ruck4thefallen.org/raymon-figueroa.php and https://www.ruck4thefallen.org/Patrick-Jones.php
Jones and Figueroa’s families also took the trouble to sign the flag of fallen firefighter Benjamen Lauren from Forsyth Township, Mich. “These families took the time to show their love, support and care for another family during their own loss,” Ruck for Fallen said. “What truly altruistic individuals these families are.”
Ruck for the Fallen is another organization dedicated to supporting lost heroes and raising funds for families who lost their first responders, an active military member or a veteran in the line of duty. For more information about the organization, visit https://www.ruck4thefallen.org/
The Porterville Fire Department will broadcast a memorial service in honor of Figueroa and Jones on their Facebook page on the one-year anniversary of the fire at 4pm Thursday. The video will include an honor guard ceremony and speeches by Porterville fire chief Dave LaPere, family members of Jones and Figueroa and other community leaders.
The dispatch will also alert all stations at 4:16 pm, with a moment of silence on the radio in honor of Figueroa and Jones. The video will be broadcast around the time of the Porterville Library fire last year.
All precautions taken by COVID were taken during the making of the memorial video, the fire department said.
This month, all Porterville Fire Department personnel are also wearing a special shirt in honor of Figueroa and Jones. T-shirts can be purchased by the public for $ 16 at Glory Graphics Studio located at 44 W. Mill.
PEOPLE TRAPPERS
Stafford’s Chocolates on Main Street partnered with Children of First Responders to raise funds for a mural and a bank in honor of Figueroa and Jones. From now until February 28, Stafford’s will donate $ 1 for each drink sold.