Larry Davis Tribute

Larry brings me the capacity to understand why we won so few fires. I was grown up as a firefighter under the axiom "conserve the water you rookie".

I was really shocked when I read about his decease, He change the way I fight the fire here in Chile, and that's is the way I teach it. When my fellows ff saw the logic behind the water flow calculations, everything looks obvius, but without him to teach it everything had been long and difficult.

I will miss him greatly.
Regards.
Jaime Núñez S.
Volunteer FF, Viña del Mar, Chile

Please accept my heartfelt sympathies in the passing of Larry. I first met Larry in the early 90’swhile working in state fire training in Kansas. In 2004, I had him teach for the Firefighters Association of Missouri’s Annual Conference in Boonville Missouri, while I was the director of the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute. He and Nick Colletti taught Rural Firefighting and Larry also stayed around to deliver the keynote speech the next evening. Before he left he made a donation to the Missouri Firefighters Memorial.

I’ll remember him for his passion to get out the information to rural departments, but also to anyone who would listen. I also remember his days with Ed McCormack and ISFSI andtheir partnership in several initiativesthat are legendary in the fireservice. We have truly lost an icon in our industry.

The thoughts and prayers of those who knew Larry are with all of you during thesedifficult times. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Gary W., Training Chief
Overland Park Fire Department
Overland Park, KS 66213

Please accept the condolences of your loss from all the members of Columbus Fire Rescue in Columbus Montana.

We were privileged to host one of Larry’s Water on Wheels courses and little did we know at the time the lasting impact that Larry would leave on us. Larry’s ability to teach us and yet not preach to us drew the members in attendance into a close bond with him while he was here. It was a booster to the whole department to see articles in Fire Rescue magazine about a little rural Montana department and its neighbors and the thing we were doing right.

Though that training lasted only for a couple of day’s the relationship built lasted for a much longer time. When we had the opportunity to spec a new tender Larry was there to assist us in his knowledge and expertise. It didn’t seem to make a difference that we may have only met once and spent a couple days together, but Larry had the ability to pick up where you left off as if he was just here yesterday.

I considered it a privilege that Larry trusted me enough to stand in for him at the Cody Fire School this last spring when he wasn’t feeling well enough to attend himself. I expressed to him that I wasn’t the guy to do that but he had all the confidence in the world. At our Fire Alliance Conference in Butte Montana this last June Larry was set to be there as well but unfortunately spent the time in the hospital. Again he had all the confidence in the world those of us there whom he personally knew: Chief Crandell, Chief Larson, Chief Mastin and I would carry on his good works. I will tell you we may have definitely moved some water but rest assured it didn’t have that Larry Davis flair!

Thank you for allowing, not only those of us here in Montana but all the fire service across the U.S., to experience the true talents and abilities of such a gifted individual.

He will be missed by all he came into contact with but will leave a lasting legacy for all!

Rich C., Chief
Columbus City/Rural Fire Rescue
Columbus MT

My condolences to the family of Larry Davis, which includes not only those of his own blood, but all of the firefighters around the country that will be missing this brother.

Larry was the type of guy we wish our congressman and senators could be. He was straight forward, inventive, and could show one how to improve on a shoe string budget. And most of all, he was honest. Although he wasn't a politician, he understood politics, particularly those we face in the emergency services industry. In teaching, he was able to help us (at least most of us) see past these mundane and hindering political issues, and get us back to basics; the grass roots of where we come from.

I think in particular, he was an advocate for the underdog; the volunteer fire fighter. Not that it mattered to him wether you were a paid or un-paid professional. He was willing to share with anyone who would listen. Being a volunteer myself though, I appreciate his description that most innovations that the fire service uses, started at a volunteer level where we do not have big budgets to protect ourselves and the public. We make the most of it with what we have. It was really cool how he shared with us what other departments were doing with limited resources.

I only met Larry in person on one occasion. It was his world famous Water-On-Wheels (WOW) training held in Polson, Montana. Even though we only met once, we corresponded from time to time, as I am sure many of you have. It always amazed me how he could remember who I was, not just name, but on a personal level, after meeting so many thousands around the world. We e-mailed, but also spoke on the phone a few times. Whether by phone, or e-mail, he gave me so much of his time. One of our first conversations over the phone was over an hour. I always wondered how a man this busy could afford that much time with me. He actually called me, after I had sent an e-mail.

It is an honor when describing Larry to others, that I can mention him as my friend Larry Davis, even though we only met face-to-face one time. And I know I am only one of thousands of his friends.

Don A.
Rollins Volunteer Fire Department
Rollins, Montana

Notice in the SecretList of Larry's passing.

I fondly remember Larry from many years ago. He was very progressive
and quite a fire instructor. He taught a large diameter hose class back
in the late 70s at my fire department at the time (Lincoln Borough, near
Pittsburgh PA) - we were the first in our area to adopt 5" hose.

Now, everyone has adopted Larry's view - we all have large diameter hose
- it's a no-brainer!

I haven't heard much of Larry of late. Over the years, I did note
several articles attributed to him on rural firefighting - he was a big
rural firefighting expert in my view. He'll surely be missed and is
definitely a loss to the fire service.

My deepest sympathy to you, his family, on your loss.

Bill R.
Safety Officer
Liberty Borough VFD

I know this is a time of deep sorrow and pain for you. I just heard on Monday about Larry’s passing. I want you to know that I was one of the thousands of people that Larry touched in the fire service. I hope each one takes the time to write to you so you can fully understand his impact and reach on America.

I worked with Larry with the ISFSI board for about one year and came to know him through his many classes and books. He was an expert on water supply for rural fire departments and worked hard on his classes and presentations. I had a deep respect for his knowledge and passion for the fire service. His friendly smile and warm handshake was always a welcome sight to me.

Please extend my personal thought to all of the family members. I never had a chance to meet any of you but I can tell you that you should all be so very proud of Larry and the impact he made. He made a difference!

Sincerely,
Ken F., Branch Chief
Leadership & Fire Risk Reduction
National Fire Academy
United States Fire Administration
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

On behalf of the Rock Falls Fire Dept we pass on our deepest sympathy to the Davis Family. Larry’s teaching has long been our guide in Rural Water supply. Our community has been the benefactor.

Thank you for sharing him with us
Gary C.
Deputy Chief
Rock Falls Fire Department

Myself and the firefighting family from the Cecil VFC#3 (PA) offer our deepest condolences to the Davis family and the fire service industry.

Larry was good personal friend of mine when he was involved with the Washington County Fire Service Training Academy.(PA) Myself and many members of our Fire Co. gained considerable knowledge about the fire service from Larry., as did many people in the local area.

Larry will be missed by myself and many firefighters in Washington County who had him as an instructor and those who fought fires alongside him

Paul P.
Asst Chief CecilVFC #3

My condolences to the family and lifelong friends of Larry Davis, he will be missed deeply. I had a chance to finally take a course given by Larry last year here in Dutchess County, NY and I can not say enough about how much this man was a wealth of knowledge and willingness to train those of us in attendance that weekend.

As a fire officer and member of the fire service here for just over 30 year now, I am just so sorry I missed out on the chance to take a class of his sooner. God rest his sole and may he live in eternal peace in the hands of the Lord now and forever.

Bill M.

For the Family of Larry, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss of Husband, Father, and Brother. He leaves a void in the Fire Service that will be hard to fill because he made a difference and impacted those he came in contact with. His love for the Fire Service and passion for teaching will be long remembered by those of us who were touched and were left better off because of him.

I first met Larry when he was with the Canonsburg VFD and working for Industrial Risk Insurance. When his work brought him into WV in the 70's he would stop at the State Fire School and visit. That was the beginning of a teaching partnership and a lasting friendship. For ten or twelve years we traveled the country on weekends teaching Rural Fire Fighting. Larry's passion for teaching was addictive to those who taught with him and made the long Friday nights flying and driving to get to the Saturday and Sunday Class location enjoyable. We always had funny travel stories to tell after each trip.

Those times I spent with Larry will stay with me always and I remain thankful that I was given the opportunity to spend as much time with him as I did.

Rest in peace Brother, you made a difference.
Lee H.

It is with a heavy heart that I contribute to this memorial, what was said of Larry is so true, in a small community like Miramichi, NB Canada he made a difference! He visited us with his wife and taught us how things can be much better with just a change from traditional thinking to thinking on your feet without the BS. His knowledge in the fire service was amazing to listen too. When I recall signing up for his session( WOW- water on wheels) I thought to myself another boring presenter, well I was never so wrong after listening to him for 10 minutes. I instantly became a Larry Davis groupie, with a huge sigh of relief that there was some common sense thinkers out there in senior roles.

RIP Brother,

Jim H.
Environment / Safety Officer
Institutional Deputy Fire Chief
Westmorland Institution

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