LODD: 18-year-old firefighter - Eagle Fire

Andrew Jackson Palmer - 18-year-old federal firefighter - After being struck by a tree died Friday evening while he was was being transported by a U.S. Coast Guard medivac helicopter for the emergency treatment of multiple injuries from Trinity County to Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

Andy was a firefighter from Olympic National Park based in Port Angeles, Wash.

Andrew Palmer suffered the injuries while he was working on the southwest flank of the Eagle Fire (Iron Complex Fires) near Junction City, said Mike Odle, spokesman for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

He died about 5:10 p.m. while in flight and enroute to the medical center in Shasta County Deputy Coroner Mike Booth said.

Investigation: The Trinity County coroner's office will determine the cause of death. The Forest Service and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have assembled an accident investigation board to report on Palmer's death.

A Critical Incident Management Stress team is being set-up to provide support to fellow firefighters who may need assistance dealing with the loss.

Official Statements:

"Each and every member of the firefighting community feels a tragedy of this type," Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor Sharon Heywood said. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew, who selflessly served to protect," she said.

"Andy was a dedicated and energetic firefighter who loved his job. We are all very sad, and our thoughts are with his family and the rest of the firefighters on this fire," Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin said.

Forest Service confirms fatality on Iron Complex
Washington firefighter killed on northern California fire
Shasta Trinity NF Press Release -
Released by: Mike Odle - 530-226-2494

Washington firefighter killed on Northern California fire

REDDING, Calif. (July 25, 2008) – National Park Service firefighter Andrew Palmer, 18, a firefighter with the Olympic National Park headquartered in Port Angeles, Wash. died while en route to Redding, Calif. this evening. He was being transported for emergency treatment of multiple injuries.

Forest Service officials learned of the fatality at approximately 5:45 p.m.

"Each and every member of the firefighting community feels a tragedy of this type. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew, who selflessly served to protect," said Shasta-Trinity National Forest Supervisor Sharon Heywood.

Palmer was a firefighter assigned to the Iron Complex of fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The incident occurred on the southwest flank of the Eagle Fire late this afternoon.

"Andy was a dedicated and energetic firefighter who loved his job. We are all very sad, and our thoughts are with his family and the rest of the firefighters on this fire," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.

A Critical Incident Management Stress team is being set-up to provide support to fellow firefighters who may need assistance dealing with the loss.

Next of kin have been notified. An accident investigation board has been assembled by the Forest Service as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into the tragic occurrence.

A fund will be established by the Wildland Firefighter Foundation in Andrew's name. The foundation is online at http://wffoundation.org/ and can be contacted by calling 877-336-2950.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

---------------------------------

Olympic National Park Staff Mourns Death of Firefighter
Andrew "Andy" Palmer;
Extends Support and Condolences to Family

Olympic National Park staff is deeply saddened by the tragic death yesterday of 18-year old Andrew "Andy" Palmer of Port Townsend, Washington. Palmer was hired this June as a wildland firefighter at Olympic National Park and was assigned to an engine crew stationed in Port Angeles.

"We mourn Andy's death and offer our support and deepest condolences to his family," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.

Palmer's four-person wildland firefighting engine crew was dispatched last Tuesday, July 22 to the Eagle fire, part of the Iron Complex fire on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Friday was their first day on the fire line. Palmer was fatally injured when was struck by a falling tree.

An accident investigation team is being assembled this afternoon and will be co-led by National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service personnel. More information will be released as it becomes available.

The rest of Palmer's crew returned to Olympic National Park earlier today. A critical incident stress management team will arrive in the park tomorrow to provide support and assistance to the park's fire crew and staff.

Andrew Palmer was a 2008 graduate of Port Townsend High School.

In honor and memory of Andy Palmer's life, flags in all National Park Service areas throughout the six-state Pacific West Region will fly at half staff until further notice.


-NPS-