Death of firefighter a reminder of hazards

Deepa Bharath

Alan Schmehl never went half way.

When he took up a project, he always completed it and gave it

everything he had.

That’s how Newport Beach Fire Capt. Rich Thomas remembers his

former colleague and fire captain, who died Wednesday after a long

and arduous battle with a rare form of brain cancer. Schmehl, 52, had

served the fire department for 29 years.

He was diagnosed with the cancer in 1995 after he collapsed on the

job. His cancer was the result of continuous exposure to toxic

substances on the job, Newport Beach Fire Chief Tim Riley said.

Schmehl was also one of the firefighters who responded to the 1987

chemical blaze at Hixson Metal Plating Inc., which is believed to

have taken the lives of Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steven Van Horn and

Newport Beach firefighter Larry Parrish, who were the first to arrive

on scene. Van Horn died of leukemia 10 years after the fire. He was

48.

Colon cancer took Parrish when he was only 47. Fire Capt. Tony De

Teeis is still battling leukemia.

But despite his diagnosis and brain surgery in 1996, Schmehl

returned to work in a staff position, Riley said.

“He fought his disease every step of the way so he could remain a

contributing member of this department,” he said. “He loved this

department so much that the last thing he wanted to do was retire.”

Schmehl was recognized as Firefighter of the Year in 1996 and

served the department until his retirement in March.

Coming back to work “meant a lot” to Schmehl, Thomas said.

“He was very grateful to return,” he said. “He told me that it

actually helped him feel better and recover.”

Thomas said Schmehl and his family members were devastated when he

was diagnosed.

“He had a 1-month-old child at the time,” he said.

Schmehl’s death and those of other firefighters, tragic as they

may be, make others more aware about the daily dangers of the job,

Riley said.

“It definitely helps us tell some stories to the younger

firefighters and explain to them why we do the things we do and why

we follow safety procedures we didn’t follow many years ago,” he

said.

A death, at the same time, also proves a disturbing reminder,

Riley said.

“We try not to think about it,” he said. “But these dangers are

things we live with everyday.”

Firefighters’ health and safety are of great magnitude and

significance, Thomas said.

“We continue to become more aware about these issues,” he said.

“What the Hixson fire has done to our department is that it has left

a significant impact.”

Schmehl, who lived in Lake Forest, is survived by his wife, Judy;

sons Brad, Scotty and Jeffrey; sister Jackie; nephew Brian; and

nieces Shay and Heather. A private funeral service will be held. A

memorial service is being planned for 10 a.m. Sept. 6 at Mariners

Church in Irvine.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].