July 22, 2004

Pomp and circumstance meets family fun at opening ceremony of Firefighter Summer Olympics

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

The opening ceremonies for the 33rd annual California Firefighter Summer Olympics, held poolside at the Hyatt San Jose Monday night, combined reflective moments of a firefighter’s dedication and sacrifice with humor and family fun. This year not only marks the San Jose Fire Department’s 150th anniversary, but the first time the city has hosted the Firefighter’s Olympics.

On behalf of the men and women of the San Jose firefighters, Local 230 President Randy Sekany welcomed the gathering to the Summer Olympics, and thanked those who contributed to the event, as well as Vice Mayor Pat Dando for her efforts to make their 150th Anniversary “A Year to Remember.”

San Jose Fire Chief Jeffrey Clet echoed his words. “On behalf of the City of San Jose, as well as the San Jose Fire
Department, I’d like to welcome all of you to the capitol of Silicon Valley. It is with great pride that the city of San Jose hosts the 33rd annual Firefighter Summer Olympics during our 150th anniversary. San Jose has a proud tradition of competing in these games, and we pride ourselves with having the best individual and team talent in the state! However, as someone who has participated in the past, I know that the actual competition is only a small part of the overall event. The camaraderie, friendship, and long-term relationships developed through these games ultimately translate into a stronger sense of community on a statewide basis. I believe that this sense of community motivates all firefighters to work together for the greater good. Enjoy our great city and good luck in the competition!”

Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy thanked the firefighters and their families for the contributions, sacrifice, and service that they provide, and presented Capt. Tom Westrup with a certificate of recognition for organizing this friendly competition that promotes physical fitness and sportsmanship while providing an informal forum for exchanging ideas among fire departments. “The city of Morgan Hill sends its best wishes for a successful event,” he added.

Westrup, who as executive director of the Host Organizing Committee has been working for over eight months to coordinate the Firefighter Summer Olympics, said that he appreciates the support of the vice mayor and the city of San Jose. “When you get their support, things happen,” he stated. “I want to showcase San Jose. I want people to see our city. I’m proud of what we do, and what we are, and I want to brag about my fire department and my city.”

Westrup also hopes that the Firefighter Summer Olympics will be successful in raising funds for the San Jose Firefighters Burn Foundation, the San Jose Firefighters Museum, and the Ken Heredia Scholarship Fund.

The California Professional Firefighters Pipe and Drum Corps, San Jose Firefighters Choir, and the San Jose Firefighters Honor Guard added pomp and ceremony to the evening. An added bonus was San Jose firefighter paramedic and 1996 U.S. Olympic athlete Gillian Boxx, who, adorned with her gold medal for softball, raced onto the scene, holding aloft an Olympic torch. Of course, being in the midst of firefighters, the torch was quickly extinguished to the amusement of the swim-suited crowd. Boxx, who is with Station #6 in Willow Glen, will attend this year’s Olympics in Athens, Greece to see her sister compete in soccer.

Battalion Chief Susan Salinger, who has been with the San Jose Fire Department for 16 years, participates in, as well as coordinates the swimming events, and enjoys meeting firefighters from around the state. “It’s a lot of work and a lot of fun,” she said. “I have swimmers from Sonoma County to San Diego.”

“The fire department is such an important part of every city,” remarked Denelle Fedor, legislative assistant to Vice Mayor Pat Dando. “This California Firefighters Summer Olympics brings the bigger fire department family together, and it’s wonderful. People get to share their experiences and reflect on those firefighters who are not with us today. They always have a sense and purpose of what life is all about.”

“We recognize that we are all here for the same reason: to protect and serve our fellow citizens at the time of their greatest need, regardless of the risk to ourselves,” remarked Fire Chief Clet. “This selfless sacrifice, however, does not come without a cost. It sometimes comes at a great personal cost to one of our own…it is with this in mind, that I’d like to ask all of you to take a moment each day to remember how precious life is, and how fortunate we all are to be able to be firefighters doing what we love to do.”

Capt. Dave Churchill shared a moving story of how after praying, he was spiritually lead after hours of harrowed searching, to find and rescue a young boy lost up a narrow cliff trail during a storm as day faded into night. Saving the life of that young boy was the pinnacle of his career, he said.

As Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn expressed, “Firefighters are an integral part of every community, and I offer my gratitude to all of you for the part you play in maintaining the safety of California and its residents. To those that have been training long and hard to compete in this week’s events—good luck! With the proceeds benefiting the San Jose Firefighters Burn Foundation, the San Jose Firefighters Museum, and the Ken Heredia Scholarship Fund, everyone wins regardless of how they place…I hope everyone enjoys their stay in San Jose, and let the games begin!”