Fire Department Mourns Line of Duty Death

Captain Mark F. McCormack
August 22, 1968 ~ February 13, 2005

Memorial Service for Fire Captain Mark F. McCormack
Saturday, February 19, 2005 @ 1:30pm
HP Pavilion (click for map)
525 W. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113

All community residents are welcome to attend the Memorial Service. Please arrive by 12:30pm.
Parking is limited and use of public transportation to the HP Pavilion is encouraged. Click here for Public Transportation and Directions
General information is available to community residents by calling the Information Hotline @ 408.378.4279. The hotline is staffed M-F 8:00-5:00 p.m. PST

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to:

click images for larger views

Rock Bottom Brewery Fund Raiser for the Alica Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, 19 March 2004.

Contact Person for the Media: Tom Walsh, Senior Deputy Fire Marshal
Office 408.341.4439 Cellular 408.656.9491

Fire Department Mourns the Loss of Fire Captain Mark F. McCormack

Santa Clara County Fire Department continues to mourn the loss of Fire Captain Mark McCormack who came in contact with an energized electrical wire while fighting a four-alarm structure fire early Sunday morning on February 13, 2005 at 15700 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

This is the first line of duty death in the 58 year history of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Captain McCormack's interest in the fire service began after he was burned in a childhood accident and, as an adult, volunteered his time as a camp counselor for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.

"Being a burn survivor himself, Mark brought a unique perspective and true understanding of what our campers need. He showed us his leadership at camp and was a hero to our kids," said Dave Miller, of the Burn Foundation Board of Directors.

Mike Sanders, fellow Camp Counselor and retired Fire Captain remembers, "He was a 'go to' guy and he was a true role model. He gave the kids strength and hope by sharing his personal experiences as a burn survivor."

"Mark loved Champ Camp and he loved those kids" said Heather McCormack of her husband.

He spent the last 16 years pursuing a career as a firefighter and paramedic with the Orange County Fire Department, Goodhew Ambulance Service, San Mateo County Fire Department and since 1999, he has been with the Santa Clara County Fire Department. He was promoted to Captain in December 2004.

According to Fire Chief Benjamin Lopes III, "Mark was an active participant in our department. He was an 'Up and Comer' - doing all of the right things to benefit his professional development. The fire service was more than a job to him, it was his passion. In his off-duty time, he participated in several committees and Chaired the Department's Safety Committee. He had just approached me about developing a plan to place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public buildings. This is a tremendous loss and he will be missed by everyone."

Captain McCormack received numerous letters of thanks and gratitude from citizens throughout his career. Most notably, in 2001, he received the Award of Valor recognizing his contributions to both County Fire and the communities it serves. He was a respected member of the Santa Clara County Fire Department Honor Guard - a prestigious unit that represents the fire department at many significant events, including funerals of fallen firefighters.

Fire Captain Mark McCormack was 36 years old. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Heather McCormack.

Memorial services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 19 in the San Jose area. Details will follow within 24 hours.

Photos of Captain McCormack will be available later today on the Santa Clara County Fire Department website at www.sccfd.org. Updates about Memorial Services will also be available on the site.

In lieu of flowers, the family is making arrangements for donations to a special fund. The information will be available within 24 hours and will also be posted on the website.

The six residents of the home escaped unharmed. The damage is estimated at one million dollars. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The residents experienced a previous fire in November 2003. Cause of that fire was undetermined and estimated losses were $390,000. (For specific questions about the fire contact Fire Investigator Dennis Johnsen at 408.341.4448).

The Santa Clara County Fire Department is a unique fire district that has evolved into a progressive, full service fire department over the past 58 years. Through fire department and agency consolidations, County Fire now provides fire protection services to the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, half of Saratoga; the towns of Los Altos Hills and Los Gatos; and adjacent unincorporated County areas.

Today, the Santa Clara County Fire Department has grown to include 16 fire stations to protect approximately 100 square miles and serves a population of over 210,000 residents. County Fire employs 265 personnel to provide fire suppression, emergency medical and fire marshal services, hazardous materials regulation and response, rescue and extrication, public education and fire investigation services. The department's suppression force is also augmented by volunteer firefighters.

Event Timeline

0220 hours 9-1-1 received a report of a structure fire at 15700 Blossom Hill Rd @ LuRay

0232 hours Second Alarm Called

0257 hours Third Alarm Called

0325 hours Dispatch received notification that a firefighter was down

0356 hours Fourth Alarm Called

0415 hours Captain McCormack pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital

For further information, contact Santa Clara County Fire Dept Fire Investigator Dennis Johnsen 408.341.4448.

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Biography of
Mark Francis McCormack
DOB: August 22, 1968

EDUCATION

• Graduated from San Clemente High School, San Clemente, CA in June 1986

• Attended various community colleges, taking general education, paramedicine, and fire technology courses.

• Additional professional certifications:

• California State Fire Marshal Certificate - Fire Officer

• Certified CSTI Hazardous Materials Specialist

• Paramedic

PROFESSIONAL FIRE EXPERIENCE

Santa Clara County Fire Department:	December 2004 - Present
Fire Captain/Paramedic. Special Operations Task Force.
Training Division Instructor. Joint Fire Academy Instructor.
Driver Operator Instructor.
Santa Clara County Fire Department:	June 1999 - December 2004
Firefighter/Engineer/Paramedic. Special Operations Task Force.
CDF/San Mateo County Fire Department:	November 1997 - February1999
Firefighter/Engineer/Paramedic.
CDF/Riverside County Fire Department:	December 1991 - November 1997
Firefighter II/Paramedic.
Goodhew Ambulance Service, Riverside County:	February 1991 - March 1995
Paramedic
Orange County Fire Department:	April 1989 - March 1997
Paid Call Firefighter, Engineer, Captain

COUNTY FIRE PARTICIPATION/RECOGNITION

County Fire Honor Guard Member

County Fire committees Mark has been actively involved with:

• Chairperson of the Safety Committee

• Accident Review Board Member

• Apparatus Committee

Received an Award of Valor in recognition of Mark's contribution to the Santa Clara County Fire Department and the communities it serves on March 24, 2001.

Received letters of thanks and gratitude for his service to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Volunteer Camp Counselor, Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation