EMS bike ride recognizes Lake Valley firefighter
Mitch Underhill
The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride honors emergency medical services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve, who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.
On Sept. 24 while cycling from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville, members of this year’s ride stopped at Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station 7 in Meyers to honor fallen firefighter-paramedic Mitch Underhill.
Members of the bike ride honored 88 members of the EMS community who have been lost by the ringing of the “last alarm” bell after their names were spoken. After the ceremony, the cyclists were escorted by Lake Valley fire engines to the base of Old Meyers Grade to continue on with their ride.
I did not know Mitch well, but I knew him and his fellow firefighters well enough to know their strength of character, and the sacrifices they made, including career and financial sacrifices, because they believe in serving their communities. Like most public safety employees.
How sad it is to commemorate him with a bicycle ride, while his fellow surviving heroes are under political and financial attack from our narrow minded and self serving politicians and their supporters.