COEUR d’ALENE — When parents tell their children about firefighters, they could be describing Coeur d’Alene Fire Department engineer David Tysdal.

“Dave is the perfect image of a firefighter,” said Capt. Nate Hyder. “An amazing father, an amazing husband, an amazing friend.” 

Hyder said Tysdal has never really seen himself as a hero. But the 47-year-old firefighter became one in the eyes of the world June 29, when a gunman shot him and two fellow firefighters in what police described as an “ambush-style” attack on Canfield Mountain. 

Coeur d’Alene Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, and 42-year-old Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, died from their injuries, while Tysdal remains in the ICU at Kootenai Health. His condition is stable and he’s able to speak. 

Fire officials said Monday that Tysdal sustained a single gunshot wound to the back that damaged his collarbone, shattered his ribs and left him unable to move anything below his chest. His loved ones are hopeful that he’ll regain mobility as the swelling in his spine subsides. 

“We’re maintaining optimism that Dave is going to walk again and return to work,” said Coeur d’Alene firefighter Gabe Eckert. 

But in the meantime, he faces a long road to recovery. 

“We’re going to be there for Dave the whole time,” Hyder said. 

Even after he was shot, Tysdal saved lives on Canfield Mountain, warning other firefighters that they were taking gunfire. 

“Dave’s the one who got Battalion 5 to get down and get to cover,” Hyder said. 

Wounded and unable to move, Tysdal used his chin to press his microphone against his shoulder and activate it. 

“By the grace of God, his mic ended up on his shoulder,” said Coeur d’Alene firefighter/paramedic Erik Loney. 

For the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, the week since the attack has been a blur of grief and shock. The atmosphere is different around Fire Station 3 at Cherry Hill, near the base of Canfield Mountain. 

“With Dave out and John gone, we are missing the bedrock of our shift,” Hyder said. 

He said first responders are still struggling to make sense of the shootings. Firefighters are prepared to rush into burning buildings and disaster zones, but nothing could prepare them to come under attack as they did June 29. 

“It’s a traumatic event,” Hyder said. “It’s going to leave a scar on these families, this community and this department.” 

The suspected shooter died by suicide on Canfield Mountain, according to police, and his motives remain under investigation. 

“That it happened here, to us, is unbelievable,” Loney said. 

Equally unbelievable is the outpouring of support from people in North Idaho, across the nation and around the world. Since the attack, Loney said, Coeur d’Alene firefighters haven’t had to cook during their shifts because community members have provided a mountain of food — more than they can eat. 

“We’re overwhelmed,” Loney said. “We’re humbled. We’re thankful. You know people like firemen, but to see this outpouring is another level. They’re the reason we’re getting through this.” 

If community members feel moved to take action, Coeur d’Alene firefighters urge them to give directly to the Tysdal, Morrison and Harwood families through the Red and Blue Foundation. 

Tysdal’s fellow firefighters describe him as kindhearted and generous with his time, a tireless helper, a man who carries more than his share of the load. A father of three, Tysdal owns a Christmas tree farm where he employs the children of other firefighters, including Loney’s sons. 

He’s one of the founders of Idaho Disaster Dogs, a nonprofit canine search and rescue team, and has contributed significantly to developing training for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department. 

Fire inspector Craig Etherton said Tysdal is known for organizing events to help the crews bond outside the workplace — and to remind them that there’s more to life than their jobs, however much their work means to them and their communities. 

“He can do anything,” Etherton said.

To donate to the affected families, visit redandbluefoundation.org.

    Firefighter David Tysdal with his wife, Annie.