(The Spokesman-Review) COEUR D ALENE On June 29, the Northern Lakes Fire District battalion chief heard a voice as he approached the area to inquire as to why Kootenai County and Coeur d Alene firemen were not responding to their radios on Canfield Mountain.
Engineer Dave Tysdal, 47, who was lying on the ground and incapacitated from his injuries, alerted his counterpart about the gunman, who was later found to be Wess Roley, 20. Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, and John Morrison, 52, of Coeur d Alene, are nearby lay fellow Battalion Chiefs. They were both dead.
According to Coeur d Alene Fire Captain Nate Hyder, Dave saved many lives on the mountain that day. Dave was able to warn battalion chief 5 before he was hurt when he arrived up there. And they succeeded in spreading the word. Numerous lives were saved by them.
According to department spokesperson Erik Loney, Tysdal is classified in stable condition but is still in the intensive care unit at Kootenai Health Medical Center following his eventual rescue from what has been described as an ambush killing.
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Tysdal’s left clavicle, or collar bone, was obliterated when a shotgun round struck him in the right rear, penetrating his torso. According to Loney, he also sustained a few broken ribs.
After three surgeries, his condition is stable, but Tysdal is still unable to move below the chest.
Loney stated, “We are not claiming that he is paralyzed.” His spinal edema prevents him from moving. We are optimistic that he will be able to move his legs once more as the swelling subsides. Our goal is to have him admitted to a reputable rehabilitation center.
Firefighter and Coeur d Alene Firefighters IAFF Local 710 president Gabe Eckert said he received a page as he passed into Idaho on June 29 while returning from a trip to Washington.
Eckert recounted the time he found out about a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, saying, “My wife and I were talking about date night that we were going to have.”
“I noticed the smoke when I entered Post Falls,” he added. Firefighters down was the first message I noticed.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Tysdal managed to assist at the shooting scene.
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According to Loney, Dave was immobile. He was using his chin to queue his lapel microphone. By God’s goodness, his microphone ended up close to his face. He was able to converse in this way.
The Spokesman-Review agreed not to identify the Northern Lakes battalion chief, who might have been the fourth person shot that day.
“He (Northern Lakes) was told to get down by Dave,” Eckert added. That transfer would not have occurred if the Northern Lakes battalion chief had not been present. Without it, we wouldn’t have known what to prepare for.
Without it, we wouldn’t have known to send police up there. We would not have been aware of the BearCat’s presence up there. Many lives were saved by (Northern Lakes) activities.
Model firefighter
The captain, Hyder, claimed to have worked with Tysdal in the Lake City for 20 years.
We only have 63 employees, which is a problem for a department of big, Hyder stated. We are all acquainted. You know pretty damn well everyone in the department. The majority of people’s children’s names are familiar to you. You can tell how many kids they have even if you don’t know their names.
Tysdal has two twin girls and a teenage son. Since the incident, according to Loney, his wife has been by his side at the hospital.
According to Hyder, Tysdal and his spouse run a Christmas tree farm west of Coeur d’Alene in their spare time.
Around his farm, he is constantly working on construction projects. aiding someone, whether it’s his house, a farm, or anything else. He has talent. He’s a welder. He is capable of carpentry. He is capable of operating machinery. According to Hyder, he simply possesses an incredible skill set. He is simply one of those men.
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Additionally, Tysdal has taught almost every technical-rescue discipline technique in the book to the majority of the other firemen at work.
Dave enjoyed seeing the kids when they visited the station. However, when you discuss firefighters with them and explain what the fireman job entails, that’s what Dave is, Hyder stated. Dave is an exemplary firefighter, citizen, spouse, and friend. All we need is for him to return.
Andy Goodsell, a paramedic and fireman with Coeur d Alene, stated that Tysdal was in the midst of a significant renovation project at the Christmas tree farm when the shooting took place.
Regarding Tysdal, Goodsell stated that he was performing a large portion of the work himself. My objective is to relieve him of that burden and, to the extent that I am able, complete the project for them or assist them in doing so. Thus, they can only concentrate on their family and his recuperation when they return.
According to union head Eckert, Tysdal needs assistance returning to the station, which is located close to the foot of Canfield Mountain, the scene of the incident.
We have given John and Frank a lot of attention. They require that concentration, but Dave also needs us, he continued.
Hyder agreed with Eckert’s assessment.
Coeur d’Alene’s blue shift was anchored by Dave and John. We can’t bring him back once he’s gone. “All we’re attempting to do is retrieve the other one,” Hyder stated. I’m not naive, but I am hopeful.
In reference to Tysdal, Hyder went on, “I can’t wait for that day because someday he’s going to be sitting there in the engine with me.” However, there are many obstacles in the way. I know a couple who can do it: him and his spouse. However, it will be a difficult and protracted journey.
