Contra Costa Fire leaders, employees, and family members will gather to pay tribute to Captain Matt Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond, fallen firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on this date in 2007.
This service will take place on the 17th year anniversary of the tragic deaths of Captain Burton and Engineer Desmond. The United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County Honor Guard and bagpiper will also participate in the event.
While this event will focus exclusively on the anniversary of the loss of Matt and Scott, an annual fallen firefighter observance, recognizing the sacrifices of all our members who died in the line of duty, will be conducted on September 11 at Fire Station 11 in Clayton.
- WHERE: Contra Costa Fire Training Division Memorial Wall, 2945 Treat Blvd., Concord, CA
- WHEN: Sunday, July 21, 2024, 11 a.m.
Contra Costa Fire Michele Drive Line of Duty Deaths
In the early morning hours of July 21, 2007, Fire Captain Matthew Burton and Fire Engineer Scott Desmond made the ultimate sacrifice. Both men died in the line of duty while making a valiant effort to rescue an elderly couple trapped in their burning home.
The tragic deaths of these two firefighters have left an unimaginable void in the lives of family members. Matt’s wife Chantel, daughter Megan, and son Joshua, and Scott’s wife Carolyn, son Tyler, and their parents and siblings have suffered a loss that words cannot describe.
Matt and Scott’s other family, the men and women of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, along with countless other members of the fire service from around the state and nation, also feel great sorrow for the tremendous loss of our brothers. While there is nothing we can do that will change the outcome of that fateful night, we can and must make a solemn pledge to learn the lessons from this tragedy, and to then implement and support changes that are necessary to help prevent a future tragedy.
By doing so, we honor Matt and Scott’s courage, dedication and sacrifice; we help keep them in our hearts by working safely and caring for each other every day; we strive to ensure their deaths will not be in vain
About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Contra Costa Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than 770,000 residents in 12 cities (Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo and Walnut Creek) and 10 unincorporated areas across our expanded 558 square-mile jurisdiction. The District comprises 34 fire stations, 40 companies and more than 500 employees. Through our unique ambulance Alliance, the District delivers EMS and ambulance transport services to much of Contra Costa County. Contra Costa Fire remains dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.
Other recent stories:
- June 5 – Contra Costa Fire Announces New Wildland Fire Training Center
- Jan 12 – Brentwood Gets Update on Two Future Contra Costa Fire Stations