Families of Fallen Firefighters Receive NFFE-IAM Contribution

San Bernardino, CA—Thanks to the generosity of NFFE-IAM members around the country, the families of the two NFFE members who died while battling a fire in the San Bernardino National Forest last October were recently presented with checks on behalf of the union.

Engine Operator Jess McLean, 27, and Assistant Engine Operator Jason McKay, 27, as well as three other firefighters, lost their lives fighting the Esperanza wildfire on October 26, 2006.  Upon their deaths, the IAM Fallen Firefighters Fund was established to collect donations for the surviving family members of Brothers McLean and McKay, dues paying members of NFFE Local 1558.  During the months since the fund’s inception, NFFE-IAM members donated enough to present each man’s family with a check for $17,500.

Several NFFE and IAM representatives traveled to the San Bernardino National Forest for a dignified ceremony on Thursday, including NFFE National President Richard N. Brown, IAM General Vice President Rich Michalski, NFFE Forest Service Council President Ron Thatcher, IAM Community Services and Retirees Department Director Maria Cordone, Forest Service Council Region 5 Vice President Dan Duefrene, and NFFE Local 1558 Secretary-Treasurer Eric Sweetman.  Also present was Deputy Forest Supervisor Max Copenhagen.

Brown and Michalski expressed the union’s condolences to the attendees, which included Brother McLean’s wife and Brother McKay’s grandmother, mother, and sister.  Each family received a check on behalf of NFFE-IAM for $17,500.  Also, a brick in each brother’s name has also been inscribed and will become a part of the Workers’ Memorial at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Center in Maryland.        

“While this money can in no way make up for the loss of their loved ones, I hope the families of Brothers McLean and McKay found some comfort in this showing of solidarity and the support of our members,” said Brown.