By Kathy Chouteau
On the morning of Sunday, July 21, Contra Costa Fire Protection District (Con Fire) leaders, employees and family members gathered at the Contra Costa Fire Training Division Memorial Wall in Concord to pay tribute to two fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day in 2007.
The service marked the 17th anniversary of the deaths of Captain Matt Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond, who perished in 2007 while attempting to rescue a couple from a house fire in San Pablo. The United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County Honor Guard and a bagpiper were also featured at the service, and a ceremonial bell was rung in the firefighters honor.
In 2019, the new Fire Station 70 at 1800 23rd St. in San Pablo was dedicated in Capt. Burton and Fire Engineer Desmond’s honor.
Contra Costa Fire said that, while this event focused exclusively on the anniversary of the loss of the two firefighters, the sacrifices of all of its members who died in the line of duty will be recognized on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Fire Station 11 in Clayton.
Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than 770,000 residents in 12 cities and 10 unincorporated areas throughout its 558 square-mile jurisdiction. The District has 34 fire stations, 40 companies and more than 500 employees.
