Station Renamed for Fallen Firefighter

COLTON>> Tragically, Colton Firefighter Captain David Lodarski was killed by a drunk driver on Oct. 10, 2015 near Reche Canyon, just a week before his planned retirement after 37 years. On Saturday, March 11, Lodarski's memory was honored at a dedication ceremony where the Colton Fire Station 214 was named after him. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the City of Colton had given approval for the plans to rename the fire station after Lodarski. Colton Fire Chief Tim McHargue had submitted the application to the Parks and Recreation Commission to rename the fire station No. 214, located on 1151 South Meadow Lane, the "David Lodarski Station". “It’s an honor to him, he worked here just shy of 38 years," said Tom DeBellis, fire captain/paramedic and public information officer for the Colton Fire Department. "His father worked for the department and now his son does. It was a tragedy to lose him to a drunk driver." It is the first time a fire station is renamed after a person in the City of Colton’s history. Lodarski started working with the fire department in 1978 and was later promoted to fire engineer in 1982. Seven years later he would take the title of Captain, but later made a decision to demote himself back to engineer in order to allow his son, Hunter Lodarski, to join the fire department. The dedication was attended by dignitaries from the county supervisor’s office, city council office, as well as retired and active firefighters from Loma Linda, San Bernardino and Colton, including Lodarski’s family.