Members of the Fire Fighters (IAFF) were some of the first responders at the recent Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting. Aurora Local 1290 firefighters not only assisted at the movie theater but also at alleged shooter James Holmes’ apartment.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said:

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this unthinkable tragedy….On behalf of the IAFF Executive Board and our 300,000 members, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of the shooting rampage.

The IAFF reported they coordinated with IAFF 9th District Vice President Randy Atkinson and Aurora Local 1290 President Randy Rester to have IAFF counselors from New York City present July 21 to

assist members of Local 1290 involved in the response at the movie theater and at alleged shooter James Holmes’ apartment, which he wired with C4, gas and other explosives, as well as military mouse traps, timers and trip wires. 

Jordan Ghawi, a member  of IAFF Local 4122 (Seguin, Texas), lost his sister Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sports journalist in the shooting. You can read Ghawi’s blog about the tragedy here.

Local 4122 released the statement:

The Seguin Professional Firefighters Association would like to extend our deepest sympathies our Brother, Jordan Ghawi, and his family. Jordan’s sister was one of the victims of the brutal attack on the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colo., on Friday, July 20.

Our sympathies also go out in kind to the many other victims and their families in this very difficult time.

Brother Ghawi has been a firefighter with the Seguin Fire Department, Seguin, Texas, since July 29, 2011, and is assigned to station 3, Battalion C.