07/25/2017
Rest in Peace Andy Palmer
Incident Summary: On June 12th, 2008, Andy Palmer graduates from high school. He completes Basic Firefighter training June 24th and Wildland Fire Chain Saw training (S-212) June 28th. He is hired as a seasonal firefighter on an engine crew June 29th and completes his A Faller taskbook on July 4th. July 22, 2008, the engine receives a resource order for the Iron Complex, California. The supervision at the park are motivated to see the engine crew obtain an assignment and call the crew in on their day off. The crew suffers a series of complications enroute to the fire including mechanical problems with the engine that lead to the eventual separation of the crew and engine captain after arriving at the incident. The remaining crew members are encouraged to pursue a line assignment as a falling team. The IMT personnel assign the crew as a falling module. During that assignment the crew cuts a tree that is outside their falling qualifications. A class C ponderosa pine is cut, falling downslope into a fire-damaged sugar pine. A portion of the sugar pine breaks off and falls upslope, hitting firefighter Andy Palmer, resulting in multiple severe injuries...and the loss of a firefighters’ life. It was Andy’s first fire assignment. .......
On this day we remember Andy Palmer and honor him by taking a moment to ensure that assignments are within our scope. Being tasked with an assignment does not mean pressure to accept an assignment if it is outside your comfort zone. It may be outside your comfort zone for any number of reasons, what's important is to address these concerns with your supervisor and if necessary refuse the assignment. It could be the difference between coming off the line at the end of the shift or a tragic end. Make good decisions, learn the right ways to refuse an assignment (see your IRPG page 19) and ensure that you and your crews come safely off the line at the end of each shift.
