Over a year after the death of 33-year-old firefighter John Glaser, the second annual John Glaser 5K Run/Walk was held on Saturday, Oct. 8 in the name of the fallen service man.
On May 22, 2010, firefighters at the Quivira Road fire station were dispatched to a structural fire. Glaser was separated from his crew in the fire and then was overcome by smoke.
Firefighter Tige Lamb who worked with the local company, Running KC to put on the event said pre-registration was more than two to three times higher for this year’s run than last year’s.
As Lamb spoke, he wheeled a small cart in between two large fire trucks that lined the start and finish line of the race. The cart held Glaser’s helmet and protective coat for runner’s to be able to reflect on the loss as they crossed the finish line.
“We’ve brought firefighters together to exercise and for camaraderie,” Lamb said. “That’s what John used to do is run. We won’t ever forget what happened but it reminds our community and other fire departments what happened.”
Lamb was worked on the same shift with Glaser but was on vacation in Texas that night in May of last year.
“I treat every fire different now because of what did happen,” Lamb said.
John’s mother, Patty Glaser sold t-shirts to help support the cause of the event. Proceeds from the run are to benefit SAFE, an organization that supports the families of fallen firefighters as well as the John Glaser fund which was established to monetarily support the Glaser family.
Patty said she never worried for her son’s safety at his job.
“I never did, it was in the back of my mind,” Patty said. “You just think living in Johnson County that it doesn’t happen but it does and that’s another reason we need to support SAFE.”
Running KC event director Brad Ziegler has helped coordinate the run for the second year and is impressed by community support of the event.
“I think it helps keep his [John’s] memory alive and it helps us remember that all firefighters are heroes all year long,” Ziegler said.
John’s wife, Amber Glaser and her two children, four-year-old Brecken and one-year-old Emma participated in this year’s race together. Brecken started the race with a countdown over the speaker system that played music through out the event.
“I think he would think it was great,” Amber said. “He would love having his family and friends and firefighters here.”
Glaser’s memory will also be honored nationally. The 30th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, which will take place Sunday, Oct. 16, will honor six Kansas firefighters, including Glaser.
Glaser, a six-year member of the Shawnee Fire Department, was the first Shawnee firefighter to be lost in the line of duty.
Glaser will be one of last year’s 72 fallen U.S. firefighters who will be honored at the service. The service will take place in Emmitsburg, Md. and is organized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
The memorial service begins at 9 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time and will be streaming live.
