About Lessons From Silverado

Dylan Van Iwaarden started working towards a career in the fire service with a private ambulance company and then transitioned to the Long Beach Fire Department as an Ambulance Operator.  He continued his career path with the Tahoe and Angeles National Forest as a wildland firefighter on a type 3 engine before accepting a job with Orange County Fire Authority with their hand crew.  Since that devastating event, Dylan has been overcoming obstacle upon obstacle in his fight to return to the OCFA.  

With 3rd and 4th degree burns to over 

65% of his body, Dylan has had to endure over 43 separate surgeries to date, with many more to come.  In his path to recovery Dylan utilizes his experience to inspire both the firefighters on the ground and the leaders who run incidents to learn the lessons that he is still working through today.

Doug Van Iwaarden is Dylan’s father and a 25-year veteran of the Orange County Fire Authority.  Doug rose through the ranks working as a firefighter/paramedic, engineer, and finally as a Fire Captain for the past six years.  As a member of the OCFA, Doug has served in many specialized fields such as Academy Instructor, Live Fire Cadre, Technical Rescuer, Helicopter Crew Chief, and Canine Handler on FEMA California Task Force 5 to name a few.  Through the many teaching and instructing opportunities, Doug has had the opportunity to convey timeless truths to firefighters of all ages in the fire service.  Through this event, Doug continues to highlight lessons that he hopes changes all our outlook in this dangerous profession.