Osceola Fallen Firefighter Memorial dedicated

At a Friday ceremony, Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS dedicated a memorial at its Fire Training Facility to the memory of four fallen firefighters.

The Osceola County Fallen Firefighter Memorial is located near the entrance to the County’s Fire Training Facility at 3186 Pershing Street in Kissimmee. The memorial features a bronze statue of a kneeling Osceola County firefighter, surrounded by bronze helmets featuring the badge number and rank of each member of Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS who has died in the line of duty:

Lt. Lyle Garlinghouse, an original department member, who passed on July 20, 1995 from cardiac arrest.
Lt. John Mickel, whose service began April 19, 1993 and who passed on July 30, 2002 from injuries sustained during a live fire training drill.
Firefighter Dallas Begg, whose service began July 22, 2002 and who passed on July 30, 2002 from injuries sustained during a live fire training drill.
Lt. Randy Donaldson, whose service began October 28, 1996 and who passed on Feb. 17, 2016 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Osceola County Fire Chief Larry Collier spoke during the ceremony.

“Each of these men’s sacrifice has impacted our daily lives, and how we do our jobs,” said Chief Collier, who likened the continuity of the fire service to running a relay race. “It is our jobs now to carry the baton, the lessons we have learned through the work and sacrifice of others, so that we can pass it on to the next generation of firefighters.”

Osceola County Vice Chairwoman Viviana Janer also spoke, noting the essential role every department member plays in protecting lives and property in Osceola County, and wherever else they might serve.

“As people visit our Fire Training Facility, they will see the honor that our Commission and community gives to the brave men and women who protect us,” she said.

The Osceola County Fallen Firefighter Memorial is possible in part thanks to Quinn Construction and the Osceola FD Benevolent fund.