Chief Mike McGroarty- 9/2/1949-6/7/2010

Mike's Life
By Ryan Miller

J. Michael McGroarty, 60, who braved disasters around the country and world to protect the lives of thousands and educated others to protect the lives of countless more, died in his Corona, Calif., home on June 7, 2010, after a hard-fought battle with prostate cancer.
Mike was born Sept. 2, 1949, in Los Angeles to Charles and Jane McGroarty. He graduated from Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, then achieved a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of La Verne. He also held associate’s degrees in fire technology and paramedical science from Rancho Santiago College, as well as a Lifetime California Community College teaching credential.
He gave 27 years of service to the La Habra Fire Department (including 10 years as an emergency medical technician-paramedic, six years as a captain, eight years as a battalion chief, and seven years as fire chief), then retired in 2001 to provide the state the benefit of his lifesaving expertise through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. His titles and the programs he led are too numerous to list, but included the State Urban Search and Rescue Response Program, the State/National Urban Search and Rescue Training Program, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction-related operations, flood and swift water rescues, and Hazmat operations planning.
When large-scale tragedy struck, Mike’s expertise saved lives. He instructed in rescue operations for California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, the California Office of Emergency Services, and the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Response System Advanced Task Force. He developed statewide incident management guidelines, consulted on safety protocol, and designed disaster contingency plans for businesses.
Over the years, he responded to emergency situations near and far, including the Leninakan earthquake in Soviet Armenia; the Loma Prieta earthquake; Hurricane Emily; the Northridge earthquake; and the Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing.
He cited his most memorable response as coordinating the first wave of California’s Urban Search and Rescue task forces sent to New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. His work there integrated New York Fire Department and FEMA rescue efforts in the face of confusion and extremely hazardous conditions.
Mike retired from the Office of Emergency Services in 2004 and began work as a contract instructor for large-scale disaster incident management.
Mike McGroarty is survived by Dee McGroarty, his one true love and wife of 40 years; son Mike and daughter-in-law Destiny McGroarty; daughter Kelly McGroarty; granddaughter Brittany Sherman; grandson Garrett McGroarty; mother Jane McGroarty; sister Katee Cross; and sister Sue Simonson.
True to his proud Irish heritage, Mike valued love, friendship, and loyalty—characteristics he revealed to all who met him. He was often described simply as a hero.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Mike’s name to City of Hope (cityofhope.org) or the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (searchdogfoundation.org).