The year 1998 proved to be a difficult and trying year for the Orange County Fire Authority as 
three of its most popular and beloved members died. Paid Call Firefighter Captain Leonard Goodwin of Station 7 in San Juan Capistrano died on May 7, Firefighter Allen Donelan of Station 21 in Tustin died on September 13, and Captain Tom Wall of Station 21 died on October 5. The respect and affection everyone in the OCFA had for these three individuals was displayed during tributes paid to them following their deaths. Everyone in the OCFA also did everything they could to help the families of these three individuals get through the very difficult times they were facing.
Leonard Goodwin, who died at the age of 69, served as a Paid Call Firefighter in San Juan Capistrano for 45 years. Leonard started his career in 1953 when the Capistrano Volunteer Firefighters were part of the California Division of Forestry. He was one of the first firefighters to serve at Station 7 when it opened in 1980. In 1959, he joined the San Clemente Police Department and served as a full-time police officer for 30 years before retiring in January of 1989.
Firefighter Donelan was 34 when he died unexpectedly from a heart attack while recovering from surgery for a back injury he sustained in the line of duty. He was a trusted and valued member of OCFA’s firefighting force for 10 years and also served as a part-time firefighter for the Disneyland Fire Department. A resident of the unincorporated area of Tustin, Allen was an active member of his community and was very involved with the Explorer program. He loved to collect Disney memorabilia. His other hobbies included camping and yearly trips to heard cattle for a friend who owned a ranch.
Captain Wall started his career in the fire service in May of 1979 when he joined the California Department of Forestry as a firefighter. In 1980, the Orange County Fire Department was formed and Tom transitioned over to the newly-formed Department. His first assignment was at Fire Station 33 at John Wayne Airport. Tom moved up the ranks, becoming an Engineer in 1981 and a Captain in 1994. In addition to working at Station 21, Tom also served at Stations 38, 36 and 4 in Irvine and Station 17 in Cypress. He was a qualified member of OCFA’s Hazardous Materials Response Team. One of the highlights of Tom’s career came in May of 1997 when he was presented with the OCFA Certificate of Commendation. While off-duty and without any protective gear, Tom entered a home in his neighborhood and helped contain a fire to one room until units from Station 21 arrived on scene.
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to announce the passing of Firefighter/Paramedic James M. Owen on September 16, 2010. He collapsed during a routine training exercise on the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) drill grounds at 11:27 a.m. in full cardiac arrest. The crews on scene immediately rendered care and Jim was transported to Western Medical Center Santa Ana where he was pronounced dead at approximately 12:30 pm. Owen was a dedicated firefighter/paramedic with 30 years of service. He began his career with OCFA in 1980 and spent most of his time at Fire Station 4 in Irvine, where he was a HazMat firefighter as well as a paramedic. Owen was an iconic figure here at OCFA and loved his job. Everyone knew who Jimmy was because of his hard work ethic and zealous generosity. Owen was 56 years old and is survived by his wife, Sharon, and three sons, Jim Jr., Daniel, and Kevin. He will be sorely missed by his friends and family. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers through these very difficult times.
Cards and donations can be sent to:
Orange County Fire Authority Firefighters Benevolent Association
1 Fire Authority Rd.
Irvine, CA 92602