Firefighters to pay tribute to their own

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Firefighting means much more than just a livelihood

to those who do it.

They call it a “fire family.”

Be it New York, Washington, D.C. or Costa Mesa, the men and women

who risk their lives to save others are linked by an invisible bond,

Costa Mesa Fire Chief Jim Ellis said.

That is why the chief said he will accompany seven Costa Mesa

firefighters as part of the department’s Honor Guard to participate

for the seventh consecutive year in the National Fallen Firefighter

Memorial in Washington, D.C. this weekend.

As the Honor Guard, the men will escort and offer support to the

families of those firefighters who lost their lives in the past year

while doing their jobs.

The ceremonies that usually take place in Maryland will be held in

Washington, D.C. this year to accommodate the families of 446

firefighters, including the 347 who died during the Sept. 11 attacks

on the World Trade Center.

Ellis started the Costa Mesa Firefighters Honor Guard and Color

Guard in 1993.

“I did it after attending the funeral of a close friend, a

firefighter,” he said. “I felt there should be a little something

more for a person -- a firefighter -- who dies in the line of duty.”

The ceremonies in Washington, D.C. will take place Saturday and

Sunday. Other participants from the department are: Battalion Chief

Keith Fujimoto, Capt. Jack Shuitt, Capt. Kurt Yoder, firefighter

Larry Stice, firefighter paramedics Chris Coats and Michael Hurd and

engineer Bruce Pulgencio.

Shuitt, who was one of the original four members when the Honor

Guard was formed, said such events are an opportunity to show the

world “what a close-knit bunch we are.”

“Being part of the Honor Guard has reaffirmed my feelings about

firefighters and our brotherhood,” he said. “Over the years, I think

our Color Guard has gotten better. You gain more confidence with each

time and you’re even more proud to wear your city’s patch.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.