Chaplain
JOHN DAY Retires
In Appreciation 14 Years + Hours
Fire Chief Jeff Willis and Yvette Eddy, Field
Representative for Assemblyman Jay Obernolte with Chaplain John Day
Tuesday April 28th, the Big Bear Fire Authority honored Chaplain John Day his for his many
years of valuable service and contribution to the Big Bear Valley. Fire Chief Jeff Willis presented Chaplain Day
with a fire patch appreciation plaque Chief Willis stated, Chaplain Day is a dedicated man that was dispatched to respond to our
community’s needs 24/7. Also, Yvette
Eddy, Field Representative for Assemblyman Jay Obernolte, presented a Certificate
of Appreciation to John Day for his outstanding service to the Big Bear Valley
Chaplain Day began his work with the Bear Valley Trauma Response Team (TRT)
in 2000 and in 2005 he assumed the leadership role of the team. The TRT is a group of Big Bear Chaplains and
Pastors with the primary responsibility to support the fire departments in
situations involving the loss of life.
Chaplains are dispatched at the request of the Fire Department to
provide support to survivors, which includes grief counseling and guidance in
making initial necessary decisions.
Often while waiting for the arrival of the Coroner or
mortuary, Chaplain Day would spend 3 to 5 hours or more on the scene comforting
family members and friends. Chaplain
Day’s volunteer statistics are overwhelming with approximately 800 hours logged
and being dispatched over 230 times in the past 14 years!
Additionally, the Chaplains provide assistance to the
Sheriff Department by assisting survivors, family members, and visitors with
needed information. This allows the
deputies to conduct investigations and develop the incident reports.
Chaplain Day has offered to train future volunteers and
would be available in a major emergency.
Chaplain Day will continue to serve with the Mountain Mutual Aid as a Chaplain and as a Logistics Section Member
during large incidents.