Man Down, Man Down

With a heavy heart I share this from my sister, Julie Shinn. Julie is a paramedic for Rowan County and works closely, day in and day out with these firemen. For her, and for so many others, this loss is very personal.

I thought yesterday was a bad day.

We burried Lt. Tim Hand of Liberty VFD and Rowan County Rescue Squad, Tim was a 32 year veteran of the FD and had 25 years in with the Squad. He lost a long battle with cancer and died early Monday morning.

Today...our worst fears were realized.

A five alarm blaze at a lumber yard.

A chilling yell of 'mayday' followed by 'firefighter down'.

Capt. Rick Barkley was badly injured with 1st-3rd degree burns, the worst to his arms and legs. He was transfered from our local hospital to a burn center at North Carolina University Baptist Medical Center. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Victor Isler "Yankee Vic", 45, transported emergency traffic to Rowan Regional Medical Center with CPR in progress. A cricoithorotomy was performed by the crew due to extensive airway burns. He was pronounced dead at RRMC.

Justin Monroe, 20, as unaccounted for during a par check. He was later found burned to death in the structure. The hose he carried was burned in half and his turnout gear was consumed by the flames. He was a sweet kid, who was always grinning. The only thing he ever wanted to do was be a fireman. He did it and did it well.

Two paramedics were treated for smoke inhalation. They went through the heavy smoke to treat and transport Capt. Barkley.

Multiple other Firefighters were treated for minor burns and other various injuries.

The flag is at half mast and the down mens pictures, helmets, and other equipment are arranged as a memorial in the bay at Salisbury Fire Station 1.

It has been more than 20 years since a firefighter was lost in the line of duty in our county. Two in one day within an hour of each other is unimaginable.

Please join us in mourning our great loss.

Pray for those who remain.

Thank a firefighter for being the "Thin RED Line" between you and the dragon that lives in the flame. The Green Line of Rescue, The Orange Line of EMS, and The Blue Line of Law Enforcement. These are the men and women who give their lives to save yours.

Juliana M. Shinn, EMT-P