Two Fallen California Fire Fighters Remembered

Captain Matt Burton

July 27, 2007 – A procession of fire apparatus wound through the streets of Concord, California, to the Sleep Train Pavilion where IAFF members, families and friends came to honor two fallen Contra Costa County, CA Local 1230 members killed in the line of duty. Matt Burton and Scott Desmond died responding to a house fire on July 21.

In keeping with true fire fighter tradition, bagpipes sounded and numerous fire fighter honor guards displayed colors as the service began. Hundreds of fire fighters wearing dress blue uniforms filled the seats along side mourners.

Burton, a 10-year veteran fire fighter, and Desmond, an eight-year veteran fire fighter, were killed by a flashover as they tried to rescue two elderly residents — who also perished — from a burning home.

Speaking at the service, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger remarked that he understood the calling to the fire service and the selflessness it takes to run into fire. “They didn’t set out to be heroes, because they didn’t think of themselves in that way, just as no one here today and the hundreds of thousands like them in our profession ever think of themselves as heroes,” he said.

Engineer Scott Desmond

“Fire fighters believe – and when asked will simply tell you they are just doing their job,” he continued. “It’s just what they do.”

The two Local 1230 members were not just fire fighters; they were dedicated family men. Burton, 35, leaves behind his wife, Chantell, and their two children, Megan and Joshua. Desmond, 37, is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and their son, Tyler.

At the memorial service, Schaitberger reached out to both families. “We say to you – the families of Captain Matthew Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond – we will never let their example die,” he promised.

“We will honor their service forever on the sacred granite walls of our Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and we will always be there for you just as you were there for Scott and Matt every day.”

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A memorial fund has been established to benefit the families of the two fallen fire fighters. Contributions can be made to:

Local 1230 Widows and Orphans Fund
112 Blue Ridge Drive
Martinez, CA 94553

Condolences and expressions of sympathy can be sent to the same address.