It is with deepest sorrow that to announce the passing of one of Local 1805's veteran firefighters, Richard D. Streissguth.  The boys in the family were en route to Bozeman, Montana to take possession of the the 12th rig in a collection of antique fire engines when the vehicle they occupied left the roadway and tumbled down an embankment.  Rick’s son Jacob and his brother-in-law Douglas R. Jacobsen were also in the vehicle.  Jacob suffered critical injuries and is being treated at a Missoula hospital, firefighter Rick Streissguth and Doug Jacobsen were killed on impact.  The accident happened around 8:00am Saturday, December 5, 2009.  They were about an hour outside of Bozeman.  The cause of the crash has been ruled accidental.  Firefighter Rick Streissguth is survived by his wife Jennifer, his 15-year-old daughter Mackenzie, his13-year-old son Jacob, and their mother Erin Rose.  Doug Jacobsen was a Business Manager for Snap-on Tools and is survived by his wife Kay Streissguth-Jacobsen.  

Fire District 6 and the Local 1805 Professional Firefighters have appointed family liaisons to assist the family and communicate their needs to the District.  Fire District 6 and the Local 1805 Professional Firefighters have assisted in sending immediate family members to Missoula to be with Jacob.  The District has brought in Chaplains to meet with family members and District personnel, along with offering CISD.  

Firefighting is a Streissguth family legacy.  Firefighter Rick Streissguth had been serving Fire District 6 since 1980.  His father Dick Streissguth has served since 1954, first as a volunteer then as Fire Chief from 1977-1994 and currently as Board Secretary.  Rick’s brother Steve Streissguth is a Deputy Chief with Vancouver Fire Department.     

The death of firefighter Rick Streissguth is not only a loss to Fire District 6 but to the entire community.  Rick Streissguth assisted in saving many lives and touching many more.  It is now our time to honor the lives of Rick Streissguth and Doug Jacobsen.  Memorial details are forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers the families have established a Streissguth/Jacobsen Memorial fund for Mackenzie and Jacob.   Donations can be made at any branch of People’s Community Federal Credit Union.

For further information contact: Dawn Johnson, Public Information Officer, Clark County Fire District 6
at (360)418-5042 (pager) or Dawn.Johnson@ccfd6.org