Community leaders share words of support following shootings, fire on Canfield Mountain
North Idaho stands with its firefighters.
"They do so much to take care of us," Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber President and CEO Linda Coppess said Sunday evening. "Our community needs to do anything and everything we can to support them."
Two firefighters were killed and one more was hospitalized Sunday afternoon following an ambush attack on firefighters responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain.
"I'm very sad, frustrated," Coeur d'Alene City Councilman Dan Gookin said. "We don’t expect our firefighters to deal with this sort of thing. You expect that kind of interaction with police, but not with a firefighter. It just hits really hard.
"From Council, we show our support for our first responders, and we send our condolences to the victims' families," he said. "We trust that the police and the county sheriff will deal with this situation and hope to God that this never happens again."
The Coeur d'Alene City Council shared a statement Sunday night that Mayor Woody McEvers and the Council are deeply mourning the senseless tragedy on Canfield Mountain.
"The families of the victims are foremost in our thoughts. We stand united in our love and prayers for them," the statement said. "No names will be released at this time as we respect the process of notifying next of kin. We are asking our community to abide by all directions of law enforcement and firefighters who are actively involved in this critical incident. We know our community has always shown respect, support and care for our public safety personnel. We share that sentiment, as we deal with profound sorrow. Please join us in our prayers for these brave men and women as they work to resolve this incident."
The Red and Blue Foundation, which provides financial grants to Kootenai County first responders and their families who experience catastrophic circumstances, immediately mobilized as the incident unfolded.
Kassi Allen, fundraising and outreach director, said the Red and Blue Foundation is standing by to offer its support to firefighters and their families.
"The community really rallies together to support these families and to support the departments of the fallen," she said, recalling how community members responded when Idaho State Police Trooper Linda Huff was shot and killed June 17, 1998, and when Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore was killed in the line of duty May 5, 2015.
“I grew up in a first responder family, so I’ve seen firsthand how this community supports its first responders," Allen said.
The foundation is working with Super 1 Foods, Las Brasas Mexican Grill and Kootenai County Search and Rescue to provide food supplies to first responders at the command post.
"We have all the tools and resources," Allen said. "Whatever they need, we are here to fight for them."
To help the firefighters in need from this incident, visit redbluefoundation.org to make a donation. Funds and donations will go directly to the families, Allen said.
A bank account in the family's names will be set up at First Interstate Bank starting today. To donate directly, go into any branch and mention the "Canfield Incident."
Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare said the area’s first responders are true pillars of the community.
“When they are called, there is zero hesitation,” he said Sunday evening. “That means a lot to the people in this community. It gives you a kind of peace of mind to know that if you ever need that kind of help, they will get there and they will be there for you.”
For first responders to come under attack so senselessly “strikes at the core of who we are,” Mattare said.
“We have some of the very best people as first responders anywhere,” he said. “It’s now our time to give them our support.”
Many area firefighters receive training from the firefighter academy at North Idaho College, creating a unique bond between first responders and NIC.
“We have a strong relationship with our first responders throughout North Idaho,” NIC President Nick Swayne said. “It’s just tragic. These guys put their lives on the line to fight fires. They shouldn’t have to put their lives on the line for anything like this.”
Coppess encourages local business owners and individuals to be there for North Idaho's first responders and their families in any way they can.
"We are so blessed that they do such an amazing job to care for us as a community," she said. "Everybody needs to come out and show their support. Every dollar donated helps, every prayer helps, every card that you send. All of these things matter. Nothing could be more important than showing our support and giving them the love and support they deserve.”
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Kaye Thornbrugh contributed to this article.
Mattare
NIC President Nick Swayne
Allen
Gookin