72-hour report - Fatality of Andrew Palmer

72-hour report released on fatality of Andrew Palmer

REDDING, Calif. (July 31, 2008) – The U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service jointly released the 72-hour report on the fatality of 18 year old firefighter Andrew Palmer from Port Townsend, Wash.

"This report is published on a short time frame and thus the information is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and additional information is developed," said Michael Odle, spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service.

"We are working closely with the National Park Service to ensure a thorough and efficient investigation is conducted," said Odle. "It is our hope the investigation will provide lessons learned to reduce the risk of a similar incident in the future."

"The next step it to continue or investigative process looking more thoroughly at all the information we have gathered over the last several days. We will take our time and be methodical in our review; we lost a life and we owe Andrew our diligence in this investigation," said Odle. "We have no time frame for the completion of our investigation."

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

The Forest Service, National Park Service as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continue their investigation into the tragic occurrence.

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Subject:
72 hour Expanded Report, Dutch Creek Incident; Iron Complex; Shasta-Trinity NF, Region 5, July 25, 2008

The Following Information is Preliminary and Subject to Change

Location: Eagle Fire, Iron Complex, Trinity River Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity NF, California
Date of occurrence: July 25, 2008
Time of occurrence: Approximately 1350 hours
Mission: Mitigating Hazard trees during mop-up.
Activity: Felling a tree to secure the line.
Number injured: None
Number of fatalities: 1
Property damage: None
Narrative: On July 22, 2008, an Engine from Olympic National Park received a resource order to report to the Iron Complex on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Weaverville, CA.
Upon arrival to the Incident Command Post (ICP) on July 23, the crew reported mechanical problems with the engine that required the engine captain to drive the vehicle into Redding, CA for service.
The remainder of the engine module stayed at ICP and on July 24, were given a logistical assignment in camp. On July 25, while the engine captain was attempting to obtain a replacement engine from Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, the three crew members were assigned as a Class B falling team to Bravo Division on the Eagle Fire.
Their assignment was to support hand and engine crews during mop-up operations mitigating hazard trees ahead of them along the fireline.
At approximately 1350 hours, the crew called for medical assistance for a severely injured firefighter/swamper on their crew. Emergency medical personnel responded and treated the injured firefighter Andrew J. Palmer.
Due to heavy smoke conditions requiring IFR capability, primary helicopter resources were unable to respond to the injured firefighter’s location. Personnel carried Palmer, by litter, to a location where he was hoisted into a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter at approximately 1630 hours.
En route to the Redding Municipal Airport, to meet the ambulance, Palmer went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 1706 hours at the Redding Municipal Airport.
A Chief level Accident Investigation is ongoing.

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Previous news release: July 25

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.