Hanford's Fire Department's Union Firefighters, Local 24 - March 12, 2019 - It is with deepest regrets to share the unfortunate news about the passing of Nicholas Augustavo’s son Kaysen. Please keep Nicholas and his family in your prayers. Steve Griffith will be the point of contact and wrote this:

“My Friend Nicholas Augustavo has been a Firefighter for several years here in the northwest. He started out like so many of us on the Tri Med ambulances over on the west side. He then starting volunteering with North Highline and eventually went on to work for Hanford Fire. He’s all “westside,” as his Eastern Washington brothers and sisters like to tease him about. He was a baseball player and a fine one at that. He worked his way in to college ball and then became a youth pitching coach. We had something in common when we started at Hanford. That’s what drew us together. Neither one of us knew a thing about fighting Wildland fires in the beginning and we went through this struggle together. Over the couple years of commuting with “Augie” as we like to call him, I learned much more about him. I learned about his love for his family and the desire to have a family of his own.

Nicholas Augustavo and Nikki Tallman met a couple years ago. Just over a year ago they had a beautiful baby boy named Kaysen James. I don’t know much about Nikki, but I can see how she looks at Nickolas and, more importantly, how he looks at her. He rushes off of shift to get home faster than he ever did before. On Saturday March 9th at 1630, they married with Kaysen as the ring bearer. He, at the age of 15 months, probably wasn’t going to be able to reliably deliver the ring so they choose to have him wheeled in on a Radio Flyer red wagon by one of his cousins. It was a beautiful celebration of a life to be. Then for the first time, they left baby Kaysen with family and headed off to Hawaii for a Honeymoon.
Tragically, just three days into their marriage, Baby Kaysen died in his sleep on the morning of March 12, 2019 while Nicholas and Nikki were in Hawaii. I know this because I was on duty that morning when he called me to tell me what happened. I was the first one he called. I then notified everyone I needed to. He called asking if I could find out any information because the tragedy hit within a department where I have close friends and family members. I was able to make some calls and piece a timeline together. There’s only so much I was able to be told and that can be shared publicly. We won’t really know what happened for some time. This baby boy who was sitting on my lap only three nights prior has passed.
It amazes me what can happen so fast within a community when the word gets out. Locals from around the state, Chiefs of departments and individuals have all reached out to me to see what they can do. In a matter of hours they have offered counseling, food and other donations. In one instance, a department’s Chief is picking him up at the airport so Nicholas and his wife would not need to drive. I thanked this Chief as I cried for the 15th time today. He simply responded: “Its what we do for our brothers and sisters.” With Nicholas’s permission I have set up a GoFundMe account.
This account will be used for Long Term counseling for Nickolas and Nikki as well as funeral expenses for Baby Kaysen. Groceries and other various bills will also be covered while they go through this transition.
Knowing Nicholas he would ask that you please keep in mind not only Nicholas and Nikki, but the two medic units, ladder company and officers involved in this. I would like to thank them for there professionalism and empathy in less than ideal conditions. I don’t believe there’s light at the end of this tunnel. I can’t tell him I know what they are going through. However I know it’s a long road from here. What I can do is ask you to help ease their financial burden as they go through the grieving process. Nicholas has asked me to be the contact for him. If you have any questions that I can answer please feel free to contact me at stevegriffith22@gmail.com”

On behalf of Nicholas and Nikki Augustavo as well as Local I-24, please contribute and thank you for your support.

A Gofundme Account has been setup. You can donate Here


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