A memorial for the late Battalion Chief Rob Van Wormer of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention will take place on Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said Wednesday.
The service will start at 10:30 a.m. and from 1,000 to 2,000 people are expected to attend, including fire service and law enforcement personnel, family members, friends and members of the public, Cal Fire spokeswoman Angela Bernheisel said.
The HP Pavilion is located at 525 W. Santa Clara St. in downtown San Jose.
Van Wormer, 47, a 24-year veteran of Cal Fire, was investigating a fire in Santa Cruz County early last Saturday evening when he lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital, where he died about an hour later.
In his honor, Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott ordered the agency's flags to fly at half-staff and for Cal Fire personnel to wear shrouds over their badges until Van Wormer's memorial.
Gov. Jerry Brown expressed sadness at Van Wormer's passing and also ordered flags in the state Capitol in Sacramento to fly at half-staff.
--Bay City News Service
