Paiz’s Legacy Inspires Fellow Firefighters
Noel Fire Department volunteer firefighters continue to draw from the legacy Garrett Paiz left behind.
Two years ago, Paiz died while fighting wildfires out west. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Paiz was nearing the end of a 12-hour shift on that day, Oct. 16, 2017. He was driving a 1993 Kenworth water tanker, transporting water from a fire hydrant, working on a wildland fire near Napa, Calif. The tanker crashed and Paiz was killed in the accident.
Noel firefighter Cody Miller said Paiz made an impact on his fellow crew members.
“He’s the guardian angel for our department,” he said.
Paiz’s photo and his end of duty information are painted on each fire truck in the department, Miller said. Paiz’s locker still remains at the department.
Fellow Noel firefighter Eric Bennett, who has nearly 26 years of firefighting experience, said he has worked in Noel and out west, fighting wildland fires.
Years after coming back to the area, Bennett said he and Paiz talked about their previous experiences. Unbeknownst to them, they realized they had fought the same wildfire together many years ago, Bennett said.
Noel Chief Brandon Barrett said he spoke to Paiz on the morning that would end up being his last day.
Paiz told Barrett he was working long hours and was tired, Barrett said.
After Paiz’s death, Noel firefighters wanted to honor him and established a memorial in Paiz’s honor. The memorial is in the lobby of the Noel Fire Station.
After the memorial was erected, Paiz’s family brought in a prayer to be a part of the memorial, Barrett said.
Miller said Paiz was a personal friend who came to his house a lot to visit. Miller’s young daughter enjoyed Paiz’s visits. After he died, Miller and his wife posted Paiz’s obituary on their refrigerator. Every night, they would tell their daughter it was time to kiss Paiz goodnight. She would go over to the obituary hanging on the fridge and kiss it, Miller said.
“Not a day goes by that we don’t think about him,” he said.