EDITORIAL: Dave Tysdal on road to recovery
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
Dave Tysdal has a long road ahead. We are rooting for him.
So is an entire community.
He will need our support.
The Coeur d'Alene firefighter was shot and seriously injured June 29 in an ambush attack on Canfield Mountain that claimed the lives of Coeur d’Alene Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, and Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
Tysdal left Kootenai Health on Tuesday morning and was flown to a rehabilitation hospital to begin his recovery. He received a hero's sendoff from staff and first responders lining the hallways as he started his transfer to the hospital that specializes in the care of individuals with spinal cord injuries.
His injuries include a collapsed lung, shattered ribs and spinal swelling. He has not been able to move his legs since the shooting but good news came Sunday when he started voluntarily moving the toes on his left foot. That is a great sign.
To come back from such trauma would be doubtful, even unthinkable, for some. But from what we know of Tysdal, what we have been told, if anyone can do it, he can.
His courage is without equal. His devotion to his fellow firefighters is unparalleled. His commitment to his community is above and beyond.
Tysdal is credited with helping save the lives of fellow first responders by warning them to stay out of the area after he was shot. Wounded and unable to move the day of the attack, Tysdal used his chin to press his microphone against his shoulder and activate it.
His fellow firefighters describe him as kindhearted and generous, 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.
Tysdal is one of the founders of Idaho Disaster Dogs, a nonprofit canine search and rescue team, and has contributed to training for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department. He is also known for organizing events to help the crews bond outside the workplace.
Now, Dave Tysdal is about to begin the biggest challenges of his life as he fights to regain the use of his legs. It will be a difficult and painful process, but we believe that with the same strength and courage he displayed under fire, saving lives, he will succeed. We believe that one day, he will return to the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, where he belongs.