SPOKANE, WA. — Friday morning, Coeur d’Alene stood still for a moment, to honor Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, as his body was transported to Hagadone Event Center for a celebration of life.Shea Vucinich is an engineer who worked with harwood.According to him, Harwood was a professional, always taking time to lead others.“He would come for the training with those probationary fire fighters, and it wasn’t because he had to ,battalion chiefs aren’t expected to do that,” Vucinich said. “He’d instill how to be successful as human beings and fire fighters.”Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Firefighters, says that Harwood led his firefighters by example.“He was someone when he showed up on scene — everyone felt safer,” Kelly said.Harwood was known for “reaching down the ladder” according to Vucinich.“Service, mentorship and trust,” Vucinich said. “That would define chief harwood.”Pat Pawlak , the Division Chief of Puget Sound Fire, was one of many firefighters who traveled to attend the funerals.He says the impact of this tragedy will be felt for a long time. “This isn’t just a tragedy that will be over within a week or two, this will be a tragedy that affects the community and the firefighters for the rest of their careers,” Pawlak said.If the Harwood family needs help, Kelly says that they are surrounded by love.“They’re part of our family forever,” Kelly said. “They’ll have a whole bunch of uncles and aunts all over North America that will welcome them wherever they go.”And while the family is grieving, Kelly hopes “in time, they’ll find the peace in their heart knowing their loved ones lived a pure life.”As firefighters mourn the loss of Harwood, Vucinich says they plan to keep his memory alive — starting with honoring Harwood by playing lawn games with the family after the service.“Firefighters know how to have a good time and how to honor each other – and we will do that today for Frank,” Vucinich said.Vucinich also said that service and mentorship is the true legacy that Harwood will leave.
