Angela Morrow, chair of the U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC-CA) and Inland Empire Regional Leadership Advisory Board, posed for a picture with some of the firefighters who were honored at the IE Firefighter Appreciation Luncheon.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Firefighters from across the Inland Empire were honored during the first Inland Empire Firefighter Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council California’s (USGBC-CA) Inland Empire Regional Leadership Advisory Board at The Frontier Project in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Jan. 28 event brought together local elected officials, fire service leaders, nonprofit advocates and community members to recognize firefighters who responded to recent major wildfire incidents, including the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires, while also protecting their own communities.
Angela Morrow, chair of the USGBC-CA Inland Empire Regional Leadership Advisory Board, said the gathering marked the board’s first major event.
“I’m so excited this is our first event for our IE regional leadership advisory leadership committee,” Morrow said. “Today we come together and we have deep gratitude and respect to recognize the firefighters of our region.”
Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires, Morrow noted the demands placed on first responders.
“For more than 24 consecutive days, firefighters worked tirelessly, often without rest, navigating through extreme conditions, limited visibility and rapidly changing threats,” she said. “Your courage, your leadership, and commitment protected lives, infrastructure and entire communities, often at great personal sacrifice.”
Lea Rogers, an Eaton Fire survivor whose Altadena family home was destroyed, addressed firefighters directly.
“Firefighters are very courageous. When we’re running away from fires, you’re running toward them,” Rogers said.
The luncheon also featured a panel discussion moderated by retired Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Todd Woods, who retired in 2019.
“There’s a lot of people that think firefighters are very overpaid,” Woods said. “However, they don’t get paid for what they do, they get paid for what they’re willing to do.”
Woods told the attendees that the average life expectancy for a firefighter is 62 years.
San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran highlighted collaboration with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
She noted that “education and collaboration” are key factors in fostering community safety.
Rancho Cucamonga Fire Marshal Shane Adams emphasized defensible space and code alignment with insurance standards.
“If you clear out all your combustibles within five feet of your home, studies show that it increases your resiliency by 40%,” Adams said.
Throughout the program, speakers stressed the “Ready, Set, Go” preparedness model and the importance of early evacuation and community coordination during fire events.
The “Ready, Set, Go” method is a three-step wildfire safety approach that stresses advance preparation, heightened situational awareness as threats escalate, and early evacuation when directed.
In addition to recognition, the event raised funds for Future Firefighters, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to aspiring firefighters.
Roland Dykes, the organization’s founder, outlined the financial barriers many recruits face.
“The cost of a paramedic program now is about $15,000,” he said. “Becoming an EMT is $8,000. Going to the fire academy can be $10,000, depending on where you’re at. What we do is assist them in those fees.”
Scholarships are awarded twice annually, with the next application cycle scheduled for July, according to Dykes.
State Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes’ office was represented at the ceremony by Daphne Laurent, who addressed firefighters on the senator’s behalf.
“It’s an honor to be here today to recognize all of you,” Laurent said. “We truly appreciate everything you do for the community.”
Representatives from the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department, Riverside City Fire Department, Riverside County Fire District and Bloomington Fire Station 76 were among those recognized for “courage, leadership and dedication” during recent wildfire responses.
Just outside, attendees were invited to view Rancho Cucamonga’s Rosenbauer RTX electric fire engine, one of the department’s newest additions, which was on display alongside other apparatus during the firefighter appreciation event.
Proceeds from the luncheon benefit FutureFireFighters.org, organizers said, reinforcing the event’s dual focus on honoring current firefighters and investing in the next generation of first responders.
