July 27, 2012
R.I.P.
Jessica Ghawi, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, John T. Larimer, Alexander J. Boik, Jesse E. Childress, Jonathan T. Blunk, Rebecca Wingo, Alex M. Sullivan, Gordon Cowden, Micayla Medek and Alexander Teves
We will remember and honor you.
We are beginning to learn more about the people whose lives have been forever impacted by the tragic and violent actions of one individual on July 20, 2012.
For our district this has hit particularly close to home. Not only do we represent Aurora, but we also represent the areas incuding the Aurora Century 16 theatre (where it occurred), the Community College of Aurora (where 4 victims attended) , Buckley Air Force Base (4 victims with military service), and the Lead Valley Gun Range (where membership to the suspect was denied), Gateway High School (where one of the victim's attended), Aurora Central Highschool (where evacuees around suspect's apartment were taken), and part of the Anschutz Medical Campus (where the suspect studied).
But everyone has been impacted in some way by the tragedy of what occurred here in Aurora. At some level, we all realize that this could occur anywhere. Even if you didn't know someone immediately involved you know this could have been you, your kids, your grandkids, your parents, your coworkers, or your friends.
As I have listened to the responses of others around me, I have found the most common responses to be:
- we need to honor and remember the victims of this tragedy
- telling the people you love that you love them
- appreciating the people in your life more
- recognition that life can be so fragile and fleeting
- love inspires bravery and courage in others
- gratitude to the Aurora Police Department for their swift response
- gratitude to the medical personnel who have saved lives
- concern that the victim's families are not stuck with unpaid medical bills
Every day we learn a little more about the talents, dreams, service, sacrifice and human side of each of the people who were victims of this tragedy. The survivors face real and ongoing challenges and they need our help. Several victims are still in critical care and are fighting for their lives or for the possibility to regain function.
Please consider donating through the Community First Foundation where a fund has been set up for the victims of the shooting at: https://www.givingfirst.org/.
Behind every person we encounter every day is a whole series of stories of their humanity, hopes, and dreams. Good people who will go on to do good things, possibly without any credit or recognition at all. In a strange way, this has made me want to know more about the stories behind the people I now see everyday.
How different would our culture be if we celebrated what we cherish in each other as much when we are alive as when we pass?
Violence is only made possible when we dehumanize others, either through indifference or antipathy. Every time we extend empathy or kindness, we make violence a little less likely. I liked what Governor Hickenlooper said at the City of Aurora vigil that we honor the victims by living our lives a little bit better.
We should think about that. How can we each best honor these victims by living our lives a little bit better? What would we do differently? Could their legacy be to force us to live up to what is best in us? If all of us lived our lives just a little bit better, in their honor, the world would be transformed.
In the meantime, we should make sure that the families of those who died and those who survived get all of the support they need so they can focus their energy and strength on healing.
Below are photos I took of the community-inspired makeshift memorial in tribute to the victims in Aurora. Thank you to everyone who has shared your love and support.
A View of the City of Aurora Vigil - People Sharing Their Support
Photo: City of Aurora
Photo: The Denver Post
July 25, 2012
Colorado Wildfire Update
About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.
Conway Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: BLM land
Location/County: Moffat County: The fire is 2.5 miles southeast of Gates of Ladore and is 1.5 miles east of Dinosaur National Monument.
Cause: Lightning
Acres/Land Ownership: 213 acres
Containment: 95%
Evacuations: None
Closures: None
Fatalities/Injuries to Date: None reported
Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
Significant Events: Crews continue to build and secure lines. Current cost approximately $206,050
Resources: 2 Type I crews, 1 Type II crew, 1 helicopter, 3 engines, 67 personnel, Type IV Incident Management Team
Source(s): Inciweb.org, Follow us on Twitter at @NWCOFireUnit (General Information), RMACC
Brush Creek Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: BLM
Location/County: Garfield County
Cause: Lightning
Acres/Land Ownership: 514 acres
Containment: 100% contained
Evacuations: None reported
Closures: None reported
Fatalities/Injuries to Date: 3 injuries
Structures Lost/Damaged to Date: None
Significant Events: Cost approximately $700,000.
Resources: 4 Type II crews, 1 helicopter, 1 engine, 1 dozer, 85 personnel, Type III IMT
Source(s): Twitter @NWCOFireUnit, RMACC
Powell Complex Fire (Powell Fire and Little Duck Fire)
Fire Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Location/County: Rio Blanco County: The fire is located 5 miles northwest of Meeker.
Cause: Lightning
Acres/Land Ownership: 1,639 acres
Containment: 100 percent
Evacuations: None
Closures: None
Injuries to Date: None
Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
Significant Events: Cost approximately $1,008,000
Resources: 4 Type I crews, 2 Type II crews, 2 helicopters, 12 engines, 1 dozer, 284 personnel, Type II IMT
Source(s): Twitter @NWCOFireUnit or @RM_InciTeamA, RMACC
Airport Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: Southern Ute Agency
Location/County: South of Durango, one mile South West of Animas Airpark
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 600 acres
Containment: 5 percent
Evacuations: None at this time, pre-evacuations lifted
Closures: None reported
Injuries/Fatalities: None reported
Structures lost/damaged: None reported
Significant Events: Cost approximately $145,000
Resources: 4 Type II crews, 3 helicopters, 1 engine, 1 dozer, 112 personnel, Type III IMT
Follow us on Twitter at @NWCOFireUnit, RMACC, La Plata County OEM
Long Mesa Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: BLM
Location/County: Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness Area, 21 miles west of Grand Junction
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 150 acres (Better visibility and more accurate mapping capabilities reduced the size of the affected area of the fire from yesterday)
Containment: 30 percent
Evacuations: None
Closures: None reported
Injuries/Fatalities: None reported
Structures lost/damaged: None reported
Resources: Follow us on Twitter at @NWCOFireUnit (General Information) and @RM_InciTeamA, RMACC
Today’s Fire Outlook
The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area remains at Preparedness Level 4, the highest level possible is 5. This rating indicates highly complex large fire activity is occurring, with multiple large fires in the zone. Fire severity is extreme as reported in multiple areas, and fires are escaping initial attack, as evident by the number of large fires. Multiple regional dispatch centers are experiencing an incident requiring type-1 or type-2 teams, and a majority of zone resources are committed.
View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4
There are no active watches, warnings or advisories for Colorado.
For more information go to http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.
Resources for updates on wildfires:
• INCIWEB: www.inciweb.org - Select the State in the drop down in upper right hand corner
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management: www.COEmergency.com
o Contains incident updates
o Contains Current Colorado Fires Map link(right hand side of page)
o Contains information on fire restrictions in the state
• US Forest Service Active Fire Map: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php
• Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/
This report is also available online at www.coemergency.com.
Micki Trost, Public Information Officer
Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Assisting the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
micki.trost@state.co.us
303-472-4087
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