Benjamin Louis Robinett:  
October 19, 1975 - September 28, 2014

Ben Robinett spent his life in service to his fellow man. 

Ben served in the Air Force as a firefighter at Randolph Air Force base in San Antonio, TX.  It was also in San Antonio that he met and married Ashley, his wife of 18 years.  It was in San Antonio that their first daughter, Emily was born.  

After his service with the Air Force ended, Ben, Ashley, and Emily moved to St. Louis, MO where Ben had grown up.  There Ben continued his life of service by working at Saint Charles County 9-1-1 Dispatch and volunteering at the Lake Saint Louis Fire Department.

In 2005, Ben served in the Navy Reserve and traveled to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, ensuring that those wounded during the conflict were transported to facilities where they could receive the care that they desperately needed.

In 2006, Ben and his family moved to Canon City, CO after Ben accepted a job as a civilian firefighter working at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, CO. Ben served heroically, receiving multiple commendations.

In July 2007, Ben and the team from Fort Carson won the Department of Defense Heroism Award:

The DoD Heroism Award went to eight officers and firefighters from Fort Carson, Colo. Fire and Emergency Services who responded to a 40,000 square foot concrete operation facility that had collapsed while under construction July 9, 2007. Two workers were trapped in the debris and a third was teetering from a pillar when the rescuers went in to extricate them and provide Advanced Life Support. Two of the workers are alive today thanks to the efforts of the crews of Engine 31 and Truck 32: Captain Kenneth Rhault, Captain Steven Polizzi, Firefighter Patrick Tepley, Firefighter William McLaughlin, Firefighter Benjamin Robinett, Firefighter David Ulman, Firefighter Kevin Cain and Firefighter Nikalous Hasenauer.

In 2009, Ben again signed up to serve his country in the Air Guard as an firefighter at an air base in Iraq.

In July 2013, Ben and his family lost their home in the Black Forest fire, but Ben continued to serve his community - reporting to duty the day after he learned that his home had been lost. While his home continued to smolder, Ben headed into the mountains to do what he loved to do - fight fires and help his fellow man.

Ben Robinett said that his desire to help those in need is why he became a firefighter 18 years ago.

Both Ben Robinett and his wife, Ashley, feel that staying optimistic is how they will get through this tragedy.

“Even though I have lost my house to this fire, I will continue to help anyone that I can,” Ben Robinett said. “Everyone should stay optimistic and continue to move forward. If people help each other, they will get through this tough time.”

Ashley Robinett said a combination of optimism and routine is the key to making it through tough times.

Another of Ben Robinett’s station members said that he is an example for all firefighters.

“We all signed up to help those people in need, and Ben has put his feelings aside to focus on taking care of his family, and to help anyone he can during this tough time,” said Shay Ridout, paramedic, FCFD. “Ben is the most unselfish person. He will give the shirt off of his back if it is what a person needs.”

My Brother Has Fallen

My Brother has fallen; no, I don't know his name.
Have not the same parents still family all the same.
He lives in this town, I live in another,
It doesn't really matter 'cause this man is my Brother.

My Brother I call him, yet I've never seen his face.
I have brothers and sisters all over the place!
You see I am a Firefighter and our families are one.

Around the world, a brotherhood of unity,
A closeness, a bond, most people don't see.
I'll watch your back;  she'll watch mine
"You go, I go," time after time

His family's my family, her family theirs,
We're part of one family where everyone cares,
I'll look after your kids, please look in on my wife,
Should that day finally come when I laid down my life.

We dedicated our lives to helping our fellow man,
Living day after day doing all that we can,
Where ever we're needed whether nighttime or day,
To save life of another we'll step in harms way.

My Brother has fallen doing what he loved best, 
And among the Honored, he now stands with the rest.
For a mile in dress uniforms here everyone stands,
For my Brother has fallen, God into your hands.