Orange County Fire Authority Grieves the Loss of Ventura Fire Department Engineer

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Firefighters often join together and band with one another on the fire lines. From the Holy Fire near Rancho Santa Margarita earlier this month to aiding firefighters to the north with the Sand fire. When a firefighter is lost in the line of duty, all civil servants grieve for the loss.

This week, the Orange County Fire Authority shared their thoughts on the loss of their fallen brother, Engineer Ryan Osler of Ventura County. Osler died in a line of duty vehicle accident on the Canyon Fire in Santa Barbara County on Wednesday, Sept. 21. A second firefighter was involved in the accident and transported with minor injuries.

The crew was providing support as part of the fire fighting force operating the Canyon Fire, according to Capt. Mike Lindbery, Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Fire Department.

OCFA addressed the loss of their fallen brother over social media on Thursday.

"We share the grief that Ryan Osler’s family, friends, and colleagues must endure, and we are once again reminded of the grave risk faced by all public safety personnel," OCFA Chief Jeff Bowman said. "While embracing that risk is something in which we take great pride, every instance of a life lost in the line of duty brings home the reality that each of us accepts every day."

Ryan Osler, 38, of Santa Clarita, was an 18-year veteran of the Ventura County Fire Department. He is survived by his wife and two children. A memorial and donation was set up for the family, through the VCFD Widows, Orphans and Assistance fund. 100-percent of the donations collected through the fund will go to the family, according to VCFD.

For more information, visit: www.vcpfa.org