Christopher Douglas, affectionately known as "Topher," was born on November 19, 1971. After five years of volunteer, reserve and paramedic service, he began working with CAL FIRE in 2004 and promoted to apparatus engineer/ paramedic in July of 2012. At graduation, he received the Carpe Diem Award - an honor bestowed by his peers. Topher valued his life-long friendships and other passions such as surfing, playing guitar, cooking, working on cars, traveling and spending time with family. While responding to a traffic accident, Topher was struck by a truck as it passed his stopped engine. His wife is expecting their second child in early 2014.