Pat Wills, an investigator on the case, was greatly impacted by the loss of young life. His book, “The Reality of PTSD: When Children Die,” details the impact of the situation.
Long Beach Fire Chief Xavier Espino announced his retirement on Thursday after 36 years in the department and four years in the top job. His last day will be Dec. 30.
The explosion happened just as a group of recruits was starting their first round of live-fire training, the LBFD said.
The two deals will cost Long Beach an additional $15 million over the next three years, but city officials say the new firefighters’ contract could help with retention and recruitment efforts.
The contract includes three annual raises that will add a cost of about $14.4 million to the city’s budget through September 2025.
Gavin Escobar, who retired from football in 2019 and joined the LBFD earlier this year, was one of two climbers who fell to their deaths while scaling a mountainside near Idyllwild.
“Rex was a great example of what a search dog is, and he will be forever missed,” his handler said in a statement on social media.
The collapse happened around 2:12 p.m. at the new Fire Station 20, which is still under construction, an LBFD spokesman said.
“True love is selfless, it is prepared to sacrifice,” LBFD Chief Xavier Espino said during the annual ceremony held in front of City Hall Tuesday morning.
“So you’ve got a bunch of intoxicated firemen here that are all trying to help, and they’re hammered,” one sheriff’s deputy said.
