Tag: Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Wildland firefighter statue finds permanent home in Prescott

Wildland firefighter statue in Prescott — Wildland firefighter statue outside the memorial service for the Granite Mountain Hotshots in Prescott, July 9, 2013, Photo by Bill Gabbert.

After the 14 wildland firefighters were killed on the South Canyon Fire in Colorado in 1994 the Wildland Firefighter Foundation commissioned a stature to be built in their honor. For years it sat outside the airport in Boise, but last year just before the memorial service for the 19 firefighters that were killed on the Yarnell Hill Fire the statue appeared in Prescott at the entrance to the arena where the service was being held. The Prescott Daily Courier published an editorial today about its travels since that day on June 30, 2013.

Here is how the article begins:

The world showed its heart to the Prescott community this past June 30, when 19 of our Granite Mountain Hotshots perished in the Yarnell Hill fire they were struggling to contain.

One of the grandest memorials arrived in Prescott within a few days of the tragedy: a statue that had greeted and bid farewell to wildland firefighters passing through the Boise, Idaho, airport, either to help fight a fire or board a plane to fly home.

This extraordinary gesture of sympathy, the Spirit of the Wildland Community statue, honoring all firefighters – past, present and future – arrived in Prescott quietly, without a lot of fanfare.

The statue – all 1,300 pounds of it – was flown from Boise in Ross Perot’s personal Boeing 737, and when the plane landed in Phoenix in hot July summer heat, Jackson Hotshots unloaded the statue by hand and helped get it to Prescott Valley, where it first stood for the memorial services for the Hotshots on July 9 at Tim’s Toyota Center, a very fitting greeting for people who attended the public farewell to the firefighters…

Posing by the Wildland Firefighter statue — A firefighter being photographed with the Wildland Firefighter statue at the memorial service for the Granite Mountain Hotshots in Prescott. Photo by Bill Gabbert.

Inside the auditorium during the memorial service, July 9, 2013 in Prescott. Photo by Bill Gabbert.

Katie Couric – Yarnell Fire families and Wildland Firefighter Foundation

The Katie Couric show on Tuesday did something surprising. Not only did they interview three wives whose husbands were members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed on the Yarnell Hill Fire June 30, but they publicized efforts to donate large sums of money to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The WFF assists firefighters that have been injured on wildland fires and the families of firefighters who have been killed. It is a wonderful organization that does great things for the wildland firefighter community.

In this first video Katie talks to the three wives.

Then three members of the Fire Department of New York mention how wildland firefighters helped them out by sending Incident Management Teams to assist them after they suffered the attacks on the World Trade center on 9/11. I have seen folks from the FDNY mention this several times — they talk about paying back the wildland fire community and “paying it forward”. They lost 341 firefighters and two paramedics on 9/11.

The FDNY has already raised $50,000 for the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, and on the show the brother of deceased firefighter Patrick Joyce, who runs a foundation in his honor, announced the organization was donating $10,000 to the WFF. Then Katie produced a second large check for the same amount contributed by the Safeway Foundation.

And it didn’t stop there. One of the FDNY gentlemen said they are hoping to get every firefighter in the country to donate $10 each to the WFF. If that happens, $10 million would be raised.

If you have not already, join the WFF’s 52 Club, which means you have donated the equivalent of $1 a week for a year.

Thanks go out to Angie

Wildland Firefighter Foundation Yarnell Fire

Firefighters’ hockey tournament raises funds for Wildland Firefighter Foundation

There have been many fundraising events to raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, including golf tournaments, runs, ice fishing, and even a scavenger hunt. But firefighters in Minnesota will be holding their third annual Fire on Ice Hockey Tournament January 18, 2014 in Walker, Minnesota. Proceeds from the tournament and a raffle will benefit the WFF. Last year they raised $2,500 for the private non-profit organization that supports agency, municipal, volunteer, and private firefighters in ways insurance and other sources cannot when there is a firefighter injury or fatality.

The hockey players are required to at some point in their lives have held a “red card” (fire qualifications card). The teams this year will represent:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Superior National Forest
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Incident Command System (MINICS)

The raffle prizes include items that you will not see in other fundraisers around the country, such as a free four-day rental of a four-person 8′ x 16′ sleeper fish house located on a frozen lake, or a power ice auger.

Thanks go out to Mike

Wildland Firefighter Foundation

CNN features Vicki Minor of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation — again

In 2008 CNN did a piece on Vicki Minor, who created the Wildland Firefighter Foundation — they called her a “CNN Hero”. This week they found her in Prescott, Arizona helping the families of the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who were killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30.

If you have not had a chance yet, send a donation to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. They have an excellent record of doing great things for firefighters who are injured and for the families of those who are killed.

Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Trampus Haskvitz golf tournament to benefit the WFF

On Saturday 144 firefighters, golfers, and other good-hearted people participated in the Second Annual Trampus Haskvitz golf tournament in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The event benefits the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF) which was instrumental in assisting the family of Trampus when he was killed while fighting the Coal Canyon Fire northeast of Edgemont, SD on August 11, 2011. One of the organizers estimated that the proceeds from the entrance fees which will be forwarded to the WFF will be well into five digits.

At the severe risk of leaving out people, some of the folks that should get credit for pulling off this fund-raising event for the second year in a row include the Hot Springs Fire Department, South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire, the Haskvitz family, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, and the Black Hills National Forest.

Coal Canyon Fire Jay Esperance South Dakota Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Fund raiser for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation

The family that lost their son, Trampus Haskvitz, to a wildfire last year was so impressed with the support they received from the Wildland Firefighter Foundation that they are helping to organize a fund raiser for the organization. Here is a message from them and others asking for us to contribute.

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Dear Firefighters,

On August 11, 2011, South Dakota lost a brave Wildland Firefighter in the Coal Canyon Fire near Edgemont, South Dakota.

Trampus S. Haskvitz was a recent graduate of Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota and was in his fifth year of firefighting based out of Hot Springs, SD with the South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression Division as a FFT I ICT 5. He was an Engine Boss when he tragically lost his life saving others from a wildfire.

In his memory and to honor all Wildland Firefighters, his family is planning the First Annual Trampus S. Haskvitz Golf Tournament in Hot Springs, South Dakota on June 2, 2012 to raise funds for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation (WFF) based in Boise, Idaho. All proceeds collected as a result of the golf tournament will go to the WFF.

To make the golf tournament as meaningful and successful for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation as possible, Trampus’ family is respectfully soliciting donations from the fire community. Any merchandise, gift certificates or cash will be gratefully accepted. Cash donations can be sent directly to the 1st Annual Trampus S Haskvitz Golf Tournament at Wells Fargo Bank in Hot Springs SD. Questions or concerns about merchandise and gift certificates, please contact Jim Stevens Chief of the Hot Springs VFD.

The mission of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation is to honor past, present, and future Wildland firefighters. The Foundation helps maintain and grow the national monument established for those who have lost their lives in Wildland fires and to operate a financial fund providing assistance to the families of fallen and injured Wildland firefighters. In addition, the Foundation partners with private and interagency organizations to educate the public about Wildland fires and to promote excellence and safety in firefighting.

Trampus’ family and his firefighting colleagues in Hot Springs would like to thank you in advance for any support you can provide this annual event. It promises to be an exciting and fun weekend in the Black Hills of South Dakota and you can make a very positive impact on the Wildland Firefighting Community with your support.

Compassion Spreads Like Wildfire.

Respectfully,

Trampus’ Family: Don, LuJean, Benjamin, Betsy and John Haskvitz

Jim Strain, Assistant Chief of Operations, South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire Suppression; Office Phone: 605-393-8114, for any questions or concerns.

Jim Stevens, Chief of the Hot Springs VFD; Cell #: 605-890-2124, for any questions concerning merchandise and gift certificates.

P.S. We will be putting the information to register for the 1st Annual Trampus S Haskvitz Golf Tournament on the internet soon and will inform you of the domain in the near future.

Coal Canyon Fire Jim Strain South Dakota Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Followup on firefighter burned on Colorado’s Heartstrong fire

The firefighter that was burned after being entrapped on the Heartstrong fire in northeastern Colorado on March 18 is in a burn center in Greeley, Colorado. Jennifer Struckmeyer is being treated in the Western States Burn Center at North Colorado Medical Center for 3rd degree burns.

On Monday when we heard that a firefighter was hospitalized with burn injuries we notified the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF), a non-profit organization that provides assistance to firefighters and their families after accidents or fatalities on wildfires. Today we talked with Vicki Minor, the Executive Director and founder of the WFF, who told us that Ms. Struckmeyer is listed in critical condition and that the burn injuries to her feet and hands are of the most concern. Thankfully she does not have any respiratory damage, but is expected to be in the hospital for four to six weeks. The WFF has contacted her family and offered the services that they can provide.

Firefighters with the Greeley Fire Department are also assisting the family, giving them some gift cards and taking them out to dinner. Along with the WFF, the Greeley FD folks also provided a great deal of assistance to the family of Austin Whitney, one of the firefighters that was burned on the Coal Canyon fire in South Dakota in August, 2011 who was also treated at the Greeley Burn Center. His fellow crew member, Trampus Haskvitz, was killed during that burn over.

If you are wondering how you can help Ms. Struckmeyer, or other firefighters that are seriously injured on a wildfire, consider making a donation to the WFF. They do great work for injured firefighters and their families. A few weeks ago I re-upped my membership in the 52 Club, a $52 donation which represents a dollar for each week of the year.

These two photos were taken by Tony Rayl of the Yuma Pioneer on March 18, the day the fire started, and are used here with his permission.

The photos remind me of one that was taken in Australia in 2009 that we turned into a caption contest.

Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Firefighter appreciation night at Rapid City Rush game

Saturday night, January 14 the Rapid City Rush hockey team in Rapid City, South Dakota is honoring firefighters and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation with a Firefighter Appreciation Night. This is part of their “Heroes Weekend” — police on Friday and firefighters on Saturday. Discounted tickets for both groups are available by calling 605-716-7825. The team will have Special Edition Police and Fire Jerseys that will be worn this weekend and auctioned off after each game.

Here are some more details from Jim Strain, Assistant Chief for Operations with the South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire Suppression:

…For Saturday Night, the Western Dakota Tech Fire Science program students under the direction of Megan Jaros’ Dad, Tom Jaros, will sell “Chuck-a-Puck” fundraiser pucks for the 2nd period intermission Chuck a Puck throw. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Vicki Minor, Executive Director, will be there with *Trampus Haskvitz’ s Mom and Dad and Tramp’s sister and brothers as well. The Rush will show a picture of Tramp up on the big screen, and have a moment of silence in his memory.

In addition, all firefighters in the audience will be asked to stand and be recognized at some point in the game, so if you do go, wear your fire hoodie or shirt, and nomex pants and boots.

*Trampus S. Haskvitz was entrapped and killed on the Coal Canyon fire in the Black Hills of South Dakota on August 11, 2011.

Thanks go out to Jim

Jim Strain Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Update on firefighter injured on Coal Canyon fire

Austin Whitney, one of the firefighters that was injured on the Coal Canyon fire in South Dakota when their engine crew was trapped between a spot fire and the main fire, is recovering from his burns in a hospital in Greely, Colorado. His fellow crew member, Trampus Haskvitz, was killed during that burn over. Austin works for the South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire Suppression and their Assistant Chief for Operations, Jim Strain, has been proactive in monitoring his recovery and providing assistance to the family. Jim was involved in setting up a CaringBridge.org web site where those interested in Austin’s condition can keep up to date on his status. Here is some information from that site, which was updated on August 17:

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We’ve created it to keep friends and family updated about our loved one. Get started by reading the introduction to our website, My Story.

This story is about Austin Whitney, a State of South Dakota Div of Wildland Fire Suppression Seasonal firefigher that works in the Hot Springs Field Office. On August 11, at around 1500 hours, The crew of State Engine 561 of Trampus Haskvitz, KC Fees and Austin Whitney were entrapped in an engine burnover on the initial attack of the Coal Canyon fire. We lost Trampus in that incident, but KC and Austin survived and this is Austin’s story of recovery. Austin comes from a long family line of wildland firefighters in the Pringle SD area.

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by JES

Talked to Austin’s Dad, and he said that Austin is doing as well as expected after the skin grafting surgical procedure on Monday. The team grafted skin on his left arm and on his shins. The surgical dressing and wrapping should be coming off in the next few days, and that is good news. Austin is in good spirits and appreciates very much the visits from the Greeley FD, and other fire departments. In fact, Evans FD [near Greely, CO] dropped by, along with Colorado State Forest Service, and the Rocky Mountain National Park ~~Fire Use~~ Fuels Module. They dropped off crew T-shirts and Austin’s parents said that Austin appreciates very much the chance to visit and talk to his fellow firefighters about the fire and his recovery. They can talk in language that he can understand and that makes him feel bonded to the world of wildland fire. Sounds like Fort Collins and Boulder will be coming by in the future, and Austin is looking forward to those visits as well. (8-17, JES)

If you want to visit Austin, first contact his father via email at: pit boss 83 at hot mail dot com. (Remove all spaces, and you know what to do with the “at” and “dot”.) His father knows which times are best for visits. Austin is in the Western States Burn Center at the North Colorado Medical Center, 1801 16th Street, Greeley, CO 80631-5199.

Three other firefighters were also injured, one working for the State of South Dakota, and two who work for the U. S. Forest Service. They were all treated at a hospital and released.

I knew that the Wildland Firefighter Foundation has been assisting the families of the firefighters affected by the burn over, and I asked Jim Strain for a few more details in the case of Austin and his family. Here is his response:

As for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, enough cannot be said. Vicki Minor, the executive director, stepped up the first day and arranged hotel rooms and a rental car for Austin’s family. And Vicki stays in contact with the family and is helping to support them while they are staying the Greeley Area. Her years of experience in dealing with this type of situation is invaluable.

Consider making a donation to the WFF. They do great work for injured firefighters and their families. I just re-upped my membership in the 52 Club, which represents a dollar for each week of the year.

More information about the Coal Canyon fire burn over:

August 11: South Dakota firefighter killed on Wildfire
August 13: Update on the fatal Coal Canyon fire
August 14: Coal Canyon fire injury update
August 16: Services held for Trampus Haskvitz

Coal Canyon Fire Jim Strain South Dakota Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Wildland Firefighter Foundation on Huffington Post

The Huffington Post has an article about the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, including a photo of Vicki Minor. Check it out, but here is how it begins:

It’s the ultimate cycle of giving. Vicki Minor has dedicated herself to supporting injured firefighters who make an incomparable sacrifice, along with families of the fallen. She offers support and help going after survivor benefits through her Idaho-based nonprofit Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Minor, a CNN Hero, tells the story of a woman who became disconsolate, barely able to get out of bed to care for her three kids and a newborn after her husband died in a fire. She became even more grief-stricken with money woes when she was initially denied survivor benefits.

The WFF is a great organization that provides valuable services to firefighters and their families when they are injured or killed on the job. They do a lot more than fight for benefits for contract firefighters, as it was described in the Huffington Post article.

This is from the WFF web site:

When things go bad, it’s often out of the public view. There are no cameras rolling. Little information is to be had. Not much on the news. There are few resources to help our community but us, especially in the early hours and days. It’s then we’re here to begin to help family or firefighter solve the logistical problems they face. Tangible and informational support comes first, plus emotional support. Support is matched with need. We may arrange transportation, lodging, provide living expenses, pay bills that the breadwinner will not be able to pay. Sometimes we gather information to answer questions about insurance. Often a hug is needed most or just a good listener. Each case is different but all need to know they are not alone. Browse our website to read about the services offered to our families of the fallen.

Consider joining the 52 Club by donating $52, representing a dollar for every week in the year.
Thanks Dick

Wildland Firefighter Foundation