SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING ARCADIA FIREFIGHTER
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Division launched a search and rescue operation by land and air for missing Arcadia Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Herdman on Sunday night, June 15, 2014.
On Friday, June 13, 2014, Arcadia Firefighter/Paramedics, Mike Herdman and Taylor Byars, became separated while on a weekend camping trip in the Sespe Wilderness Area outside of Fillmore, CA. Mr. Byars and Mr. Herdman were preparing to set up camp on Friday evening when Mr. Herdman’s dog ran away from the camp. Barefoot and wearing only shorts and a tee shirt, Mr. Herdman pursued the dog, followed by Mr. Byars. A short time later, the two men became separated. Mr. Byars made his way back to the campsite in the dark.
When Mr. Herdman had not returned to the camp by daylight, Mr. Byars began to search for him. Despite his best efforts and after nearly two days of searching, Mr. Byars made his way out of the wilderness through miles of extremely rough terrain and heavy vegetation and reported Mr. Herdman’s disappearance to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in Fillmore on Sunday evening.
Mike Herdman, 36 years old, is a 7 year veteran of the Arcadia Fire Department.