USFA LODD: Montana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.24.2020

 

On Monday, August 24, 2020, Pilot Thomas Duffy, 40, flying a Type 1 Kmax helicopter, was conducting bucket drops while battling the White River Fire in Mount Hood National Forest, when his helicopter crashed.  He worked for Central Copters, Inc., a private family run company out of Belgrade, Montana, as a wildland-contract pilot for the U.S. Forest Service.  The official cause of the crash is under investigation. 

Our condolences to the Duffy Family & Friends, Central Copters, Inc., and to all affected by Firefighter Pilot Thomas Duffy's passing.    

To date, 59 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

USFA LODD: Montana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.19.2017

Fire Chief Tom Martin, 61, attended live fire training on the evening of August 18, 2017. Within 24 hours of this training, Fire Chief Martin passed away at his residence on August 19, 2017.

Our condolences to the Witham Family & Friends, Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Tom Martin’s passing.

To date, 62 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA LODD: Montana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 08.02.2017

On August 2, 2017  Firefighter Brent Witham, 29, was struck and killed by a falling tree while working on the Lolo Peak fire in Western Montana. Firefighter Witham was given CPR and other emergency medical aid by fellow firefighters and was then airlifted to a hospital in Missoula, Montana. Despite all efforts, Firefighter Witham passed away as a result of his injuries. Firefighter Brent Witham was a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew based in Idyllwild, California.

Our condolences to the Witham Family & Friends, U.S. Forest Service, and to all affected by Firefighter Brent Witham’s passing.

To date, 61 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2017. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA LODD: Montana Firefighter On-Duty Death Notification 11.30.2016

On  November 30, 2016 while serving on the Maple Spring wildfire in North Carolina, Blackfeet Nation Fire Management Crew Boss/Engine Boss Darryl Elden “Poor Boy” Vielle, 51, was found deceased in his motel room on the morning of November 30, 2016.  The Blackfeet Forestry and Fire Management crew has been supporting firefighters in North Carolina since November 10th.
    

Our condolences to the Vielle Family & Friends, Blackfeet Forestry and Fire Management, and to all affected by Crew Boss/Engine Boss Darryl Elden “Poor Boy” Vielle’s passing.

  

To date, 80 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2016. Yea-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA LODD – Montana Fire Chief Fatalities Notification 08.25.2014

Several weeks after being injured in a collision between two Fort Shaw fire trucks responding to a grass fire near Vaughn, on August 25, 2014 Montana, Fire Chief Dave Anderson, 66,  passed away in Peace Hospice of Great Falls. According to media reports, Montana Highway Patrol said the driver of the other truck, a brush truck, missed a turnoff en route to the fire and was making a U-turn when Chief Anderson crashed into him. The water tender (tanker) truck driven by Chief Anderson tipped on its side and he had to be extricated from the wreck. Chief Anderson was then transported to the hospital by ambulance. Chief Anderson was later transferred to a Billings rehabilitation facility that specializes in traumatic brain injury, and then transferred to Peace Hospice. The driver of the second vehicle involved in the accident was not injured.
    
Our condolences to the Anderson Family & Friends, the Fort Shaw Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Chief Dave Anderson's passing.

        

To date, 58 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA LODD – Montana Safety Officer Fatalities Notification 08.06.2014

Safety Officer Douglas James Casson, 46, completed fire department training that included non-routine physical activity at 2200hrs on Tuesday, August, 5, 2014.  Douglas James Casson passed away at 0200hrs on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at his residence.

  

Our condolences to the Casson Family & Friends, the Vaughn Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Safety Officer Douglas James Casson's passing.

To date, 56 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)