08/08/2008 GAAS:598:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Trinity County Helicopter Crash Victims
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the deaths of Shawn Blazer, of Medford, OR; Scott Charleson, of Phoenix, OR; Edrik Gomez, of Ashland, OR; Matthew Hammer, of Grants Pass, OR; Jim Ramage of Redding, CA; Steven Renno, of Cave Junction, OR; Bryan Rich, of Medford, OR; Roark Schwanenberg, Lostine, OR; and David Steele, of Ashland, OR:
"This devastating tragedy is a reminder of the dangers these courageous men and women face while protecting our communities on a daily basis. They are true heroes and we are eternally grateful for their service and their sacrifice. Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our profound sadness over the deaths of these brave men. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these men during this difficult time and we continue to pray for the swift recovery of the surviving victims."
Blazer, 30; Charleson, 25; Gomez, 19; Hammer, 23; Ramage, 63; Renno, 21; Rich, 29; Schwanenberg, 54; and Steele, 19, died August 5, after their helicopter crashed while working on the Buckhorn Fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Blazer, Charleson, Hammer, Gomez, Renno, Rich and Steele were contract firefighters with Grayback Forestry of Merlin, OR. Schwanenberg was a pilot for Carson Helicopters of Grants Pass, OR. Ramage worked for the U.S. Forest Service Fire and Aviation for the Pacific Southwest Region. Previously, he worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for 19 years as the first forestry fire pilot and as an air operations officer.
In honor of the victims, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
