A member of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department died in a skiing accident Saturday in Fresno County.
Firefighter/paramedic Joseph “Joey” DeAnda, 33, of San Luis Obispo suffered traumatic injuries while skiing with friends, and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at 12:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of an accident at China Peak Mountain Resort, near Huntington Lake.
“DeAnda was traveling down a ski run with friends when [he] struck a tree. He was wearing a helmet, however, his injuries were too significant, and he was not able to survive,” the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
DeAnda had worked for the county Fire Department since 2020, but arrived with years of experience as a paramedic and county dispatcher, according to the Fire Department representatives.
Among assignments, DeAnda reportedly served as a paramedic for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.
“Joey will be remembered for his positive attitude and hard work ethic,” according to a county Fire Department Facebook post. “Joey made lasting relationships with everyone he came in contact with. Joey was the example that if you put your heart and mind into something, you can accomplish anything.”
Other agencies across the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties also remembered DeAnda’s service to the community.
“Our hearts are broken,” the Montecito Fire Department said on Twitter. “For those who knew DeAnda, it was truly an honor to know and work alongside him. He cared for many in our community, including during the 1/9 Debris Flow. His impact and legacy will not be forgotten.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our brother Joey DeAnda. He served the Santa Maria community for so many years with a positive attitude and infectious smile,” the Santa Maria Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
“Such a terrible tragedy that took a great man from us way too early. You will be missed Joey, rest easy brother,” Lompoc Firefighters Association added on Facebook.
DeAnda, a 2006 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Orcutt, later attended Allan Hancock College, Cuesta College and Cal Poly.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office representatives said the agency is working with Santa Barbara County Fire Department personnel “to make sure DeAnda receives proper honors prior to his transport back to his home on the Central Coast.”
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.