Capt Joel Feliz Ubach Memorial Fund

Captain Joel Felix Ubach, a 17-year veteran of the Tijuana Fire Department, was tragically killed in the line of duty while battling a residential structure fire on the evening of November 28, 2016.  Joel and the crew of Engine 10 responded to the scene of a well involved 3-story single family dwelling with heavy smoke and fire showing from the ground floor.  The 10 year old structure was metal framed with stucco siding, and had poured concrete slabs on the 2nd and 3rd floors with a Spanish tile roof.  The home was occupied by American citizens, as is most of the Punta Bandera area of the Playas de Tijuana district. 




Upon arrival, Joel and his partner deployed an attack line and initiated confinement of the fire via the open attached garage.  Moments after going interior and without any warning, the entire structure collapsed trapping Joel and his partner.  Joel’s partner was pulled out immediately and suffered only minor injuries.  Joel was located about 20 minutes later only a few yards away, but was trapped beneath the rubble.  His Tijuana brothers and sisters worked frantically to free Joel, but were unable to extricate him for another 3 hours due to the sheer volume of entangled weight of the debris.  Preliminary reports suggest improper building design as the reason for the premature collapse.  Prior to the crews making interior fire attack, there were no obvious signs of structural weaknesses or compromise.

 


Joel, age 35, is survived by his loving wife Giovanna, son (age 14) and daughter (age 12).  He was known as a devoted family man whose favorite times were traveling with his family.  He was also known as a passionate firefighter who was certified as a technical rescue specialist and HazMat technician, amongst other specialties.  His resume, as his reputation, was exceptional.  Joel’s character was known for always keeping it positive, humorous, and fun.  Any firefighter in any country would be proud of how Joel represented the fire service. 




In the morning hours of the day of Joel’s death, he was present at the inauguration of Tijuana’s Fire Station #17.  This station will now bear the name of Joel Felix Ubach, as a testament to his service as a firefighter. 

After Joel's beautiful funeral service, some of us firefighters from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Dept got together and decided to do this Go Fund Me campaign since there is no known organized Widow's and Children's fund to our south.  This Line of Duty Death occured only a few miles south of the border.  He was our neighbor and our brother.  We are respectfully asking for your support in building an education fund for Joel's children by donating what you can, and by forwarding this to your friends and sharing it on facebook so it can reach our entire fire service family on this side of the border.  Thank you in advance for your support.