MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTER CORY IVERSON TO BE LIVE-STREAMED TODAY
By Miriam Raftery
December 23, 2017 (San Diego) — Governor Jerry Brown is expected to attend a memorial service Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Rock Church in Point Loma to honor Cory D. Iverson, a Cal Fire engineer station in Dulzura who lost his life battling the Thomas Fire in Ventura County. The service is private, but will be live-streamed for the public to view at www.SDRock.com/Iverson.
"His bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten," said Governor Brown, who ordered flags at the state capitol flown at half mast.
"This incident has shaken our organization to the core," Cal Fire San Diego Chief Tony Mecham said. "It has affected us statewide, but no more than here in San Diego County."
Firefighters countywide held a boot drive Friday to raise funds for Iverson’s family. Iverson is survived by his wife, Ashley, and their 2-year-old daughter, Evie. Ashley is pregnant with the couple's second daughter, who is due in the spring.
A GoFundMe campaign created for Iverson's family has also raised over $586,000. In addition, the Cal Fire San Diego County Firefighters Benevolent Fund also has a donation page.
A resident of Escondido, Iverson had worked with Cal Fire since 2009. A resident of Escondido, he died of burns and smoke inhalation near Fillmore while fighting the largest fire in California history, which has thus far charred over 273,400 acres and is 65 percent contained.
Iverson was assigned to the Thomas Fire as part of a five fire-engine strike team from Cal Fire San Diego.
A procession to bring his body home last weekend drew tens of thousands of firefighters and members of the public. Every overpass from Ventura to San Diego was lined by firefighters and others saluting the fallen hero.
Cards for the Iverson family can be sent to Cal Fire San Diego's headquarters, located at 2249 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, California, 92019.