Oakland Firefighter Drowns in San Diego County
A young Oakland firefighter tragically lost his life in a drowning accident early Thursday morning.
Off-Duty Oakland Firefighter Caeden Laffan Drowns at San Diego Beach
25-year-old Caeden Laffan, a firefighter with the Oakland Fire Department since 2019, drowned while swimming at a beach in San Diego County.
"Caeden Laffan was a young and enthusiastic member of our team, with a promising future ahead of him. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news," said Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington in a statement.
Oakland firefighter drowned off a San Diego beach https://t.co/UeL2vjmtwn
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) June 28, 2024
Source: Twitter/Los Angeles Times
Search Efforts Underway After Report of Missing Swimmer
When Oakland firefighter drowned the San Diego Fire Department received reports of a missing swimmer near Pacific Beach shortly before 2:00 am on Thursday.
Rescue crews, including swimmers and a helicopter, were deployed to search for the missing person.
Sadly, the search ended with the discovery of the swimmer's body washed ashore before 5:00 am.
Cause of Drowning Unclear
The circumstances surrounding Caeden Laffan's drowning remain unclear. Oakland Fire Department officials have promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Laffan Family Deeply Rooted in Oakland Fire Department
This tragedy strikes a chord with the Oakland Fire Department, as Caeden Laffan's father, Assistant Chief Sean Laffan, also died in the line of duty in November 2020. Caeden was a probationary firefighter at the time.
The Laffan family has a long history of service with the department. Caeden's brother, Cooper, is currently training at the Oakland fire academy, and their mother works as a peer support outreach specialist.
"Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family, and all who knew, worked with, and loved Caeden," said Fire Chief Covington.
Caeden Laffan: A Rising Star Cut Short
Fire Chief Covington described Caeden as a "rising star" who was in San Diego for the Firefighter California Summer Games. He assured the public that Caeden's death was unrelated to the event and that he was not alone at the time of the incident.
"He was just on vacation, enjoying his time, when this tragedy occurred," Covington told KNTV.
The Oakland Fire Department has pledged its full support to the Laffan family during this difficult time.
"Caeden was dedicated to becoming the best firefighter he could be," Covington added. "He was energetic, enthusiastic, and always had a smile on his face. He will be deeply missed."
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