Anderson Valley volunteer firefighter dies

An Anderson Valley volunteer firefighter who was battling one of more than 100 wildfires burning in Mendocino County died Thursday morning of a possible heart attack.

Robert Roland, 63, was taken to Ukiah Valley Medical Center after he become fatigued and short of breath while helping to lay water hoses at a fire near Philo just after noon Wednesday, said Colin Wilson, chief of the Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

He died about 4 a.m. Thursday at the Ukiah hospital's intensive care unit of what's believed to be a heart attack, Wilson said. An autopsy is pending.

It is the department's first firefighting-related death, said Wilson, 60, who's been with the department for 25 years.

"It's been very hard for all of us," he said. "It's been an absolute low point in my life and the department's history, and we can't express enough our sadness over this."

Flags at the state Capitol flew at half staff in Roland's honor, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued public condolences to his family.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Bob Roland, who courageously lost his life while protecting his community from the threat of fire," the statement read.

Roland and his wife, Carol, had moved from San Diego to the Anderson Valley about six months ago, Wilson said.

Roland was a retired vice president of business development for an aerospace company, Wilson said. He did not know the name of the company.

Roland also was a former Marine who had flown F-4 fighter-bombers from 1966 to 1977.

He became a volunteer recruit with the Anderson Valley department three months ago, Wilson said.

Because of his age, Roland was not assigned to do heavy work, he said. On Wednesday, he was assigned as a lookout on the Oso fire northwest of Philo, Wilson said.

Roland was stationed on a flat landing along a road with a view of the fire. But he left his perch and walked up and down a hill a couple of times to help lay hoses, Wilson said.

He was walking up a hill when someone noticed he appeared to be in distress and called Wilson, he said.

Roland "denied having any serious problem. He said he was just tired and fatigued and having trouble catching his breath," Wilson said.

Roland was driven to Boonville and then taken by ambulance to Ukiah Valley Medical Center, he said.

Wilson said Roland had been enthusiastic about becoming a volunteer firefighting recruit.

"He just couldn't get enough of it," he said.

Roland volunteered to help with any and all department projects, from fund raising to maintenance, Wilson said.

"His wife said he loved his connection with the department," he said.

Wilson said the department plans to have a memorial service.

Cal Fire officials will be investigating the death, Wilson said.

Roland is the 58th firefighter in the country and fifth in California to die of a duty-related incident this year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

About 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year, according to the agency.

Of the four other California deaths, one was attributed to a stroke, one was caused by a brain hemorrhage, one to an explosion and the cause of one has not been determined.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com.