Flags will be at half-staff on Sunday: Why?
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DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis has ordered flags to be at half-staff on Sunday in honor of a fallen paramedic.
On Sunday, March 10 from sunrise to sunset, flags will be lowered to half-staff in honor of Steve Zuckerman, an Eagle County paramedic who passed away after responding to a backcountry rescue call in Vail on Friday, Feb. 23.
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Zuckerman was 61 years old and had worked for Beaver Creek Ski Patrol for more than 25 years. He started with Eagle County Paramedic Services in 2008, first part-time and eventually full-time in 2013, the agency said in a release.
On Feb. 23, an avalanche was triggered near East Vail in an area known as the “Birthday Chute.” According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, two skiers were caught in the avalanche and were suffering from injuries.
Vail Mountain Rescue responded alongside Eagle County paramedics, but that’s when officials said things took a terrible turn.
“They entered the backcountry on skis to move toward that avalanche victim, and during the course of their response, Steve suffered — we don’t know, specifically — but lost consciousness, and there was a resuscitation effort from our staff,” said Brandon Daruna, CEO of Eagle County Paramedic Services.
The medical emergency prompted air medical transport, but tragically, Zuckerman did not survive.
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The heavy loss sparked an outpouring of support for a man who dedicated his life to public service and safety.
“He was always willing to step up and contribute, and it’s a kind of gaping loss for our organization and community. And it’s going to take a long time to heal,” Daruna said.
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Zuckerman was also a member of the search and rescue team and a field trainer, and he also was training as a critical care paramedic.
“There’s going to be a mourning period, and there’s always going to be a hole left where Steve used to lie,” Daruna said.
Polis has chosen flags to be at half-staff on Sunday to honor the day of Zuckerman’s memorial service.
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