From the San Fransico Chronicle: A second San Francisco firefighter died early this morning, victim of a deadly house fire in San Francisco's Diamond Heights neighborhood.
Anthony "Tony" Valerio, a 53-year-old firefighter and paramedic critically injured in the Thursday blaze, died at San Francisco General Hospital at about 7:40 a.m., city officials said.
Dozens of grim-faced firefighters from across the city flocked to the hospital to pay tribute to Valerio, whose death was yet another blow to the city, its firefighters and Engine Company 26.
The Diamond Heights station crew had already lost Lt. Vincent Perez, who died Thursday after being rushed to the hospital with Valerio and a third firefighter, Tracy Courtney. Courtney was released after being treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/04/BA2F1JPNS2.DTL
Firefighters around the country have been taking their lumps lately because of budget cuts and the attitudes of firefighters towards politicians and taxpayers.
But the bottom line is that fire fighting is still a dangerous job even with all the technology out there. Whether you are a full time firefighter or a volunteer, which I used to be when I was younger, the job is dangerous.
The Firefighters Prayer
When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
So, R.I.P firefighters Vincent Peresz and Tony Valerio and prayers to your family and to the San Francisco Fire Department
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