 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In Memory Of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Flight Paramedic Charles Jerpe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On the 27th of January, 2003, Flight Paramedic Chuck Jerpe lost his nearly year long fight for life. Chuck was the duty medic on board Mountain Lifeflight 3 as it crashed into Honey Lake outside of Susanville California on the 21st of March 2002. The pilot was killed instantly. Chuck clung to life for nearly two hours in the cold shallow waters over a mile from shore. Chuck never told the nurse that his own back was broken and his legs were tangled in wires, as he urged the injured nurse to climb aboard the first rescue helicopter to arrive on scene. Eventually, a very dificult water rescue effected the removal of Chuck from the wreckage and he was flown to a trauma center in Reno Nevada. Chuck battled numerous surgeries, infections, and internal injuries until he finally lost his heroic fight over ten months after the crash. Services were held in Susanville on the 4th of February 2003 and were preceded by a massive display of unity and brotherhood in an emergency services vehicle procession through town. Ambulance, aeromedical, fire, and police services paid tribute to our fallen comrade. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flight Paramedic Chuck "Chuckles" Jerpe In Front Of Mountain Lifeflight 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chuck's wife, Barbara, relocated to Reno to be with her husband through their ten month nightmare. She stayed by his side the entire ten months, and was with him in the end. Barbara is now faced with the task of relocating back to Susanville and rebuilding her life without her beloved husband. Those of you who work in this field are aware of our sadly inadequate benefits. Chuck spent his life helping others while there were little provisions to help him or his family in case of tragedy. All of Chuck's medical bills are, of course, covered since this was a line of duty accident. Sadly, however, there were no provisions for his family in the event of death. Please join us in donating to the Charles Jerpe Memorial Fund to help Barbara. All we ask is that you send a mere dollar in Chuck's name. If you are capable of sending more, then please do. What is a dollar worth these days? A dollar will buy you a soda, but if enough of us care to send that dollar, it will add up. Please send your donation to the: Charles Jerpe Memorial Fund C/O Plumas Bank 3000 Riverside Drive Susanville, Ca. 96130 Tax I.D. available upon request For further information or questions please contact Dan or Chris at: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEWS LINKS OF CRASH: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lassen News | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redding Record Searchlight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reno Gazette | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JEMS Magazine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lassen News | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chuck is gone, but not forgotten. He will live on in our hearts, and in the hearts of hundreds of people who never knew his name. Chuck has flown his last mission, slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hand, and touched the face of God. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [email protected] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charles D. "Chuck" Jerpe 05-30-1955 - 01-27-2003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||