NORTH ALABAMA (WHNT) — Tragedy struck in Idaho Sunday, taking the lives of two firefighters and injuring a third after a man intentionally set a wildfire and shot the first responders when they arrived on the scene.
CBS News reports that the victims were identified as Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52. The third firefighter who was injured, Dave Tysdal, underwent two successful surgeries Monday, according to fire officials at a news conference.
“What would go through somebody’s mind that would want to target a first responder in this way, a firefighter in this way?” Victor Stagnaro, the CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said. “It’s just not fathomable.”
Stagnaro said the nature of the attack made it nearly impossible for responding personnel to prevent the heinous act.
“There’s just nothing, I think, that they could have done to prevent it,” Stagnaro said. “When you think of the fact that, you know, they were ambushed. This was an intentional act. It’s just, it’s just horrific.”
While the investigation is in its early stages, the tragedy is impacting fire departments across the nation, including some in our backyard.
Monrovia Volunteer Fire/Rescue Lieutenant James Filley said firefighters undergo training to handle different interactions, saying the flames are not their only on-scene concern.
“You never know what’s going to be behind that door when you show up to that house,” Filley said. “Those types of situations can flip on a dime, and they can be very scary very quickly.”
Filley said roughly 70% of Monrovia Volunteer Fire/Rescue’s calls regard medical situations, rather than just fires. He explained that this makes some interactions especially troublesome.
“There’s always going to be that concern, especially if you’re dealing with somebody who’s been, you know, using a substance,” Filley said. “That’s why we train the way we do. That’s why we practice the way we play.”
Stagnaro said the Idaho firefighters’ options to prevent this tragedy were limited. He and his foundation are calling on lawmakers to strengthen protections for first responders, whether that is through mental health resources or more in-depth reporting of violence towards first responders, no matter the severity.
Ashlee Singleton with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation released a statement regarding the events in Idaho:
“This kind of targeted, violent response to first responders is increasing, and we need to do a better job of tracking that,” Stagnaro said. “And we need to do a better job of going after people that think that this is somehow this is okay.”
“We urge lawmakers and community leaders to recognize and address the escalating threats faced by firefighters. This deliberate ambush is not only an attack on individuals, it is an assault on all who stand ready to serve. Appropriate measures must be taken to:
1. Enhance safety protocols during wildfire responses.
2. Ensure access to critical mental health and trauma support services for survivors and colleagues.
3. Strengthen legal protections and penalties for those who target first responders.”
Ashlee Singleton, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Filley said Monrovia Fire would support further protections if it meant a tragedy like this one would never happen again.
Harwood and Morrison will be honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s annual memorial next May.
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