Allen Johnson

To the Editor:

The news of the passing of Allen Johnson hit many of us hard. It should have been a feature story on the front page. Allen was that impactful, here locally, statewide, and nationally in the wildland fire world. Everyone knew and liked Allen. You couldn't wait to see the picture of the latest catch before the meeting started.

Allen was a great firefighter, period.

On Sept. 12, 2004, our worlds were turned upside down. The Tuolumne Fire claimed the life of Cal Fire Firefighter Eva Schicke. Tragic in every respect. Allen was the incident commander. Like any fire supervisor who oversees the strategy, tactics, and personnel on a fire, when something like that happens, it hits you hard. Your hardest critic is yourself. It is a life-altering event. For Allen, it was no different, and I know it wore on him.

What was different though was Allen's approach to dealing with that day. Allen went on to develop a “staff ride” and cadre to teach the lessons learned that day. Thousands of firefighters from local, state, and federal fire agencies participated in this staff ride. They came from all over the fire world.

It was so impactful here locally, Cal Fire incorporated the staff ride into its formal wildland fire behavior training taught to seasonal firefighters and supervisors. Promises made. Promises kept. Allen led every staff ride. Every one.

I have no doubt that this learning experience has saved firefighter lives, but more importantly, produced better firefighters and individuals. Allen did that for them, but in another way, he did it for himself too. The staff ride was Allen's way of dealing with it.

I'm sure the staff rides will continue, and Allen will be there, but it will be different.

Barry Rudolph

Columbia