Fifty years ago, on February 20, 1970, Yucca Valley was rocked by the biggest disaster in the town’s history. A liquid propane tanker, making a delivery to the Unigas facility, caught on fire. After firefighters arrived, the tanker exploded, sending burning fuel and shrapnel into the air.
Paul Wearing, who had been a firefighter for only five months, and Ron Newport, and 15 other people were injured from the explosion. Wearing died from his injuries 18 days later. Managing editor Tami Roleff says that yesterday the Yucca Valley CalFire fire station had a ceremony to honor Paul Wearing, and the small good that came afterward…
Retired Fire Captain Jerry Glover says that when Yucca Valley firefighters responded to the Unigas fire 50 years ago, they didn’t have the protective gear they wear now.
“One of the points with Paul Wearing’s passing, it’s always been said, that when somebody passes, that good will come out of it. The good is safety gear. We didn’t have that before. What we had before is what I’m wearing now: khaki, khaki trousers.”
After the fire, Glover met with a team of other firefighters to come up with ideas for safety gear. Glover said he remembered how race car driver Mario Andretti was saved from a horrific crash and fire in 1969 by his Nomex suit. The Fire Service contacted the material manufacturer and soon firefighters—in Yucca Valley and around the world—had their own fire-resistant suits to wear.
“The Fire Service has come a long ways because of Paul’s demise.”
Calfire Unit Chief Glenn Barley wants people and firefighters to remember Wearing’s sacrifice.
“Every time we put on personal protective gear, that should be a reminder to us of the sacrifice that was made here 50 years ago today. Paul’s sacrifice and service to the community, there was some small good that came out of that.”
