Porterville Fire Department growing closer and stronger through tragedy

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Among the most dangerous and selfless careers is firefighting, putting their lives on the line to protect others.

"I'm really proud of the men and women I work with here. I have some of the best firefighters in the world in our department," expresses Coy Farnsworth, a Porterville Fire Department Engineer, who has been at the department for 13 years. "A third of the month, I live and sleep here at the firehouse, and I spend all that time with the guys here, so they become like second brothers to me. It's a whole second family."

The tight-knit department has grown even closer through tragedy.

Five years ago, they lost Fire Captain Ray Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones in the devastating Porterville Library Fire.

"There was the loss that happened with Ray and Patrick that day, but there was also the loss that every member in the fire department felt, and the ways they continue to grow and pay tribute to them are sacrifices like this," says Porterville Fire Chief Bryan Cogburn.

With plans left undone, pushing through the pain has been difficult.

But their memory and sacrifice keep the department pushing forward.

"I just knew that they would want me to keep going," mentions Farnsworth.

The department of 60 men and women continues to grow.

This year, there were over 200 applicants for a handful of firefighter positions.

"Those numbers are higher than we have seen in decades. Really, what that is, that is a testament to the culture we have created in this organization," mentions Chief Cogburn.

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