Novato Fire Crews Head to S.F. for Funeral and to Cover Stations During Memorial

The will be represented at the Friday funeral for two San Francisco firefighters who died in the line of duty.

Novato Fire Chief Marc Revere said some Novato personnel will attend the service and others will cover stations in the city so firefighters who usually work there can attend the memorial.

San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said at least 6,000 people are expected to attend the services for Lt. Vincent Perez, 48, and firefighter-paramedic Anthony Valerio, 53, who died from injuries they suffered while battling a fire at a home at 133 Berkeley Way on June 2. Perez died later that day and Valerio succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.

A vigil was held for the two men Thursday at St. Mary's  Cathedral and a joint funeral is planned for 12:30 p.m. Friday, also at St. Mary's. After the funeral, the men will be buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.

The funeral is expected to bring firefighters from as far south as Los Angeles and Long Beach, as well as members of dozens of fire departments in the Bay Area and elsewhere in Northern California, Talmadge said.

"The fire department is overwhelmed with the love and support that we've been receiving from our brothers and sisters in the fire service and the public," she said. "Everyone has just been amazingly gracious."

Perez and Valerio were badly burned when objects in a room of the house apparently heated to the point of ignition, a dangerous phenomenon known as a "flashover," Talmadge said.

A female firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns. She was treated at the hospital and released later that day.

Condolence messages can be sent to Fire Station 26, 80 Digby St., San Francisco, 94131.

— Bay City News Service (Novato Patch's Brent Ainsworth contributed to this report)