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CONCORD (BCN) – Rene Penaloza has always been a fighter. As a firefighter for Contra Costa County, he fought the flames to keep residents safe, and when he got cancer from breathing toxic fumes in fires, he fought the disease so he could be there for his daughter’s ninth birthday could.
On Saturday, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District held its annual event in honor of Penaloza and the district’s 17 other firefighters who died while on duty. The event, held at the Con Fire Training and Safety Division on Treat Boulevard in Concord, also honored the firefighters who died on September 11, 2001.
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“He loved his job,” said Rene’s brother Dave Penaloza of Concord on Saturday morning as he stood in front of a meter-high wall engraved with the names of the district’s firefighters who died on duty.
Contra Costa County Fireman Rene Penaloza (CoCo Fire)
Rene died on January 7, 1994 at the age of 42, said Dave Penaloza. Her brother Frank Penaloza also worked for the district also known as Con Fire and retired after 35 years.
“When Rene started in the late 1970s, they had no machines or face masks and were working in the landfill to put out fires,” said Dave Penaloza. Rene was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 1993, Dave said.
“He said he would hold out until his daughter’s birthday and he did it,” said Dave, his voice trembling. “He left two days later.”
The district “really is like family,” said Dave Penaloza.
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Two more names were posted on the wall two years ago to honor firefighters who died on duty – Fire Chief Matthew Burton and Fire Engineer Scott Desmond.
In the early hours of July 21, 2007, both men died on duty as they tried to rescue an elderly couple trapped in their burning home.
“This event is a reminder of how fragile life is,” said Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, one of the speakers at the event. “Thanks to the firefighters and their families. This is a day of gratitude for these people who have trained all their lives and respond without questions when they are called. “
Contra Costa County supervisor Karen Mitchoff, assistant fire chief Aaron McAlister, and fire chief Greg Sawyer also spoke at the event. About 50 people attended the in-person event, which is usually full but has been toned down a bit due to COVID-19 concerns. Others participated through social media; the event was broadcast live on Facebook and can be viewed there.
Con Fire provides fire and rescue services to more than one million people in its 304 square miles district area and through mutual assistance in and around the 20 cities and unincorporated parishes of Contra Costa County. The district has 26 fire stations and more than 400 employees.
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