By Charity Lindsey
Daily Press
PARKER, Ariz. — A local first responder died unexpectedly while on vacation near Parker, Arizona, on Saturday, according to the San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters Union.
Matthew Bashaw, 27, was vacationing with friends at the Colorado River in Arizona when he died, according to a Facebook post from the union. He was the son of Local 935 member and County Fire Department Captain Sam Bashaw of Station 14 in Wrightwood.
“Matthew was attempting to retrieve a boat anchor that was stuck in the mud,” the post states. “When he did not surface as quickly as expected, his friends—many of whom are (Anaheim firefighters)—pulled him unresponsive from the water and initiated CPR. Through resuscitation efforts Matt regained a pulse; however, he ultimately did not survive his injuries.”
Bashaw was a recent graduate of Victor Valley College’s Paramedic Academy.
“His determination and drive to achieve his dream job of becoming a firefighter/paramedic was evident with every goal he made and achieved,” VVC Paramedic Program officials said. “In the past three weeks alone, he graduated paramedic school, successfully passed his (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) exam and had already landed his first job as a paramedic.”
Bashaw completed his field internship with Local 935 member and county firefighter/paramedic John Marini at Station 71 in Fontana and began his fire service career as an explorer assigned to the Phelan post under the direction of County Fire Captain Bob Kittleman, union officials said.
Bashaw then served as a paid-call firefighter for the county before becoming one of the original members of the Old Cajon Crew 6, union officials said. This all-risk hand crew is stationed at the fire camp in Devore, where Bashaw held the position of sawyer.
His experience led him to employment with the United States Forest Service, serving the San Bernardino National Forest as a wildland firefighter. His goal was to ultimately become a career municipal firefighter.
“Local 935 could not be more proud of Matthew’s accomplishments,” the union’s post states.
VVC officials said the loss of Bashaw, an “ambitious and good-hearted individual,” “has impacted our program, our community and families, more than we can express.”
“We will miss you, Bashaw,” college officials said. “It will be impossible to forget the positive impact you had on our lives.”
Services for Matthew Bashaw will be held on July 17 at Holy Innocents Parish, 13230 El Evado Road in Victorville. A viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m., followed by a rosary at 10 a.m. and a funeral service at 10:30 a.m.. Graveside services will immediately follow at the Desert View Memorial Park, located at 11500 Amargosa Road in Victorville.
A reception will then commence at the Oak Hills Brewing Company, located at 12221 Poplar St. in Hesperia.
Copyright 2017 Daily Press