On the morning of Friday, November 27, 2020, Cowlitz Fire District #5 Firefighter/EMT Alan Basso responded to his last alarm, dispatched at 0848hrs. Later in the day he was driving in the downtown area of Kalama when his vehicle collided with several parked vehicles. He was unconscious and not breathing, suffering a cardiac arrest. Despite all efforts, he did not survive. Based on the criteria outlined by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Firefighter Basso’s passing is considered a Line of Duty Death.
Firefighter/EMT Basso’s service work history includes five years with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, one year with Washington State University as a firefighter, 2 ½ years with Cowlitz County Fire District 5 as a career firefighter, 21 years with Cowlitz County Fire District 5 as a volunteer firefighter and Captain, and 21 ½ years as a career firefighter and Lieutenant with the City of Longview Fire Department. Basso retired from Longview Fire in January 2020.
In order to maintain compliance with State and County COVID 19 restrictions, Firefighter Basso’s memorial service will be facilitated with a fire service procession on December 11, 2020, and a family service with full fire service honors in mid-February.
The Fire Service procession will start in Longview at 1400 hrs. at the Calvary Community Church located at 2655 38th Ave. The route will pass Longview Fire Stations 82 and 81, and Kalama Fire Station 51. The procession route will conclude at the Port of Kalama’s Haydu Park located at 253 Kalama River Road, in Kalama. Due to COVID restrictions the procession is not open to the public, and the public is requested to not congregate at the starting point or a Haydu Park.
The processional elements will include Cross Tipped Ladder Trucks with a Garrison Flag Honors, welcoming remarks, ‘Last Alarm’ Tones and Bell Ceremony, and conclude with traditional Pipes and Drums. Due to COVID restrictions members in the procession must stay with their apparatus throughout the presentation. Only family and recognized representative will be allowed in the identified 30 person seating area. The procession and event at Haydu Park will be live streamed; details to follow.
The fire service procession is open to fire apparatus and uniformed fire service members only. No unmarked or private vehicles will be allowed. All agencies and apparatus that would like to attend are required to RSVP with Cowlitz County Fire District #5 via email at: admin@cowlitzfd5.org Additional information will be available upon RSVP.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a continuation of “Big Al’s” charitable work within the communities of Longview and Kalama. For Longview, donations can be made to:
Longview Firefighters House Fund
Attn: Al Basso Memorial
536 Oregon Way
Longview, WA 98632
For Kalama:
Kalama Volunteer Firefighters Association
PO Box 293
Kalama, WA 98625