Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Three Gilroy firefighters save the life of a seven-year-old girl

They went to her aid, performing CPR until she began to breathe

Gilroy Fire Department firefighters/paramedics who went to aid of drowning girl. Gilroy Fire Department OES 2614: FIre Engineer Carlos Hernandez,
Firefighter Paramedic Marcus Ortega and Fire Captain Daniel Lozano. Photo courtesy Gilroy Fire Department

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Three Gilroy firefighters saved the life of a seven-year-old girl while on a break battling a fire near Chico.

The crew of Engine 2614 from the Gilroy Fire Department; Marcus Ortega, a new firefighter on probation; Fire Captain Daniel Lozano; and Engineer Carlos Hernandez were on a break looking for something to eat for dinner when they noticed something off at a hotel pool, according to news reports. They quickly made a U-turn and found the child drowning and unresponsive in a swimming pool. They went to her aid, performing CPR until she began to breathe. Shortly after, a Chico fire truck arrived and took her to a nearby hospital.

With “overwhelming pride,” Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley applauded the men’s quick responsiveness.

“They not only saved the life of a child but also saved others from a life of pain and anguish that such devastating loss brings,” she said. “We never know when emergencies will strike, and this goes to show the heartfelt gratitude these individuals and our first responders deserve.”

We got some exciting news that the grand opening for the new Capos Event Center in Gilroy is planning an evening of line dancing, a top-notch country DJ, and a live performance by the Country Cougars. This is a chance to be part of the hottest new country scene in town as the Capos Event Center is transformed into the ultimate House of Country.

The DJ and line dancing takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 13, followed by the Country Cougars from 9 p.m. to midnight. The DJ will then play until closing at 1:45 a.m.

Capos Event Center includes two floors of entertainment and a cozy lounge. This event is open to all 18 and older, and VIP tables are available for those looking to elevate their experience.

Don’t miss out. Tickets are available at https://www.caposeventcenter.com or for table reservations call (669)-500-6810.

Rich Firato

If you have heard, my good friend and South Valley’s beloved “benevolent pirate” Rich Firato died unexpectedly Aug. 22. He was 64. I first met Rich at the downtown July 3rd Street Dance. I had just moved to Morgan Hill in the late 1990s and was wandering around checking out the new town I’d just relocated to for a job.

He was sitting alone at a table for eight so I asked if I could join him. With that big smile, he said, “Of course.” We started talking, learned we were both Italian, so he invited me to stay as his mother was going to bring Italian food for dinner. Shortly after, his mother and Rich’s wife, Julie, showed up with different pastas in those large aluminum catering containers. I was in heaven. This was before he started his project of turning his backyard into the pirate-themed extravaganza it morphed into.

From then on whenever we would see each other around town we always greeted each other with big hugs. In 2014, a year or so after Marty Cheek and I started Morgan Hill Life, my father passed away and I used this column to write about him, including a photo of my dad.

After that issue came out Rich called me to tell me one heck of a story. You see, as a young middle schooler, Rich and some of his friends tried to crash a dance at John Muir Middle School where my dad George taught physical education. As Rich told it, “Your dad grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out of the gym saying, ‘Young man, you don’t go to this school, so get your ass out of here.’”

I told him that sounded like my dad, and we both laughed.

In 2011, Rich approached me about joining the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He had been on the board for about a year. I told him I would, and he said he wanted to revitalize the Friday Night Music Series and asked if I’d help him. Of course, I said yes. Rich was a hard person to say “no” to, especially when he has such determination and passion about a particular issue.

We got to work. Along with several other board members and dedicated volunteers, we slowly grew the series. But it was Rich who served as the captain.

Every year, I remember sitting in meetings in the spring getting ready. Rich had this Cheshire Cat grin, contemplating what new things we could add to the event to make it even bigger and better.

Starting with two jockey boxes to pour beers, Rich convinced the local Budweiser distributor to bring a beer trailer filled with kegs to the Community Center parking lot early Friday morning. He enhanced the banners we created for sponsors, thus increasing our number of sponsors, which helped pay for bigger and better bands. He listened to dozens of bands on YouTube. He’d even go hear some in person, to see if they were right for our venue. He created a handicapped area, added string lights to the lawn, a VIP for tent for chamber members to purchase for their employees, and made sure we had students who were paid through a local nonprofit to direct people into the parking lot and help clean up.

After Rich left the board and I moved to Hollister, we didn’t see each other as much but we kept in contact. No matter the time between phone calls, our conversations would pick up like we’d just seen each other.

I’m going to miss those days when we worked in the same downtown building and would see each other daily. I’m going to miss him coming downstairs into my office or me going upstairs to his just to talk. Always saying goodbye with a big hug. Rest in peace, my dear friend.