On Saturday, November 7, 2015, the family of Allen Columbro, the Madera-Mariposa-Merced and Tuolumne-Calaveras Units invite you to bid a fond farewell to an amazing, and sometimes challenging man. I say that with a smile on my face because he could make you so mad, and was so endearing at the same time. A true CAL FIRE “character” who will be deeply missed.
Please join us at 1100 hours to honor this family-man, our friend and co-worker, at:
Mountain Christian Center
40299 Highway 49
Oakhurst Ca.
Personnel that will be participating in the “Sea of Blue” need to please arrive no later than 9:30 AM for coordination and instruction.
All engines that will be attending the service for static display will need to arrive by 9:00 AM
Fire Captain Allen Columbro retired from CAL FIRE in December 2008, but never missed a beat when it came to continuing his work with the department. Working in Telecommunications as a Retired Annuitant, Allen had worked throughout the state to maintain our radio equipment, vaults and repeaters, and we were lucky enough in the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit to have his expertise in our expanded command center whenever he was needed. Earlier this week I learned that Allen’s love for telecomm started a very long time ago when his father, Charlie Columbro, was the catalyst to build the state’s telecomm system. I heard stories of Allen, as a boy, traveling around with his dad as they built vaults, pulled wires and climbed towers. So even before his first job with CDF, Allen was involved in the department, and he brought that history and love of CDF to anyone that would listen.
In 1973, Allen began his career in Amador-El Dorado Unit as a seasonal. After five seasons he left CAL FIRE (then CDF) to become a FF/Engineer with the Fruitridge Fire District and later as a FF for the USFS. In 1983, Allen returned to CAL FIRE, working in Humboldt-Del Norte, Riverside and MMU as an FAE. In 1988, Allen became a Fire Captain in the ECC, later transferring to the Coulterville Station in 1997. I had the pleasure to work with Allen beginning in 2002 when he came to join the Basic Fire Training cadre at the Academy in the position of ECC Coordinator. In May of 2003 Allen joined the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, where he worked until his retirement in 2008.
Services will entail a small static display of equipment and engines dear to Allen, and the family requests your attendance in Class A uniform. For personnel that will be attending while on-duty, your response uniform is appropriate. Please arrive by 0930 if you wish to be a part of the standing procession (Sea of Blue).
If you would like to send your regards, you may send cards and well wishes to:
The family of Allen Columbro
45355 Forest Ridge Dr.
Ahwahnee, Ca 93601
For all other questions regarding the services, you may me at johnny.miller@fire.ca.gov. The family, MMU and TCU hope you will join us on Saturday November 7, 2015 at 1100 am for the services to honor Fire Captain Allen Columbro
Thank you,
Johnny Miller
Fire Apparatus Engineer/
Public Information Officer IMT #5
Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
CAL FIRE
cell: (626) 456-4941