Young Oregon firefighter dies after routine fitness test

LAKEVIEW, Ore. — A 27-year-old wildland firefighter died following a Work Capacity Test (WCT) in Bly, Ore., last week, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced.

According to the USFS with the Fremont-Winema National Forest, they say Daniel Foly, 27, collapsed after successfully completing WCT on July 9.

The Forest Service says USFS and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) personnel worked to provide medical aid, including a defibrillator and CPR, until an ambulance arrived on scene and transported Foly to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., where he was later pronounced dead.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of firefighter, Daniel Foley…Dan tragically passed away yesterday following a routine firefighter preparedness activity. Words cannot express the depth of this loss. Losing even one life is a tragedy, and Dan’s passing, especially so soon after our Week of Remembrance for fallen firefighters, hits me hard. Dan was a first-year wildland firefighter, just 27-years old. He leaves a profound void within the wildland firefighter community and at the Bly Ranger District. Our focus in this difficult time is on supporting Dan’s family, his coworkers, and the entire wildland fire community…Please keep Dan’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters in your thoughts,” said Jacqueline Buchanan, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester, in a statement to Region 6 employees.

The USFS says Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and peer support, as well as access to trained mental health clinicians are being provided to USFS and ODF personnel impacted by Foly’s death. Additionally, the USFS says their Honor Guards will travel to be with Foly and his family for upcoming memorial services.

—

To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team.