Ab,

Could you please post this up as and where you think it should be on the site.

Thanks,

Steve Esser
Battalion Chief
South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression Division
BC500

Trampus Haskvitz, Never Forgotten (photo)

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PRESS RELEASE
SD Department of Agriculture
Wildland Fire Suppression Division
August 10, 2012
Contact: Beth Hermanson, Information
Phone: 605-381-7232 (Cell)

For Immediate Release
Safety Stand-down held in honor of Firefighter Trampus Haskvitz and State Engine 561

Rapid City, SD – A five minute safety stand-down was held today throughout the Great Plains Dispatch Zone in memory of State Engine 561 and firefighter Trampus Haskvitz.

On August 11, 2011 State Engine 561 with three crewmembers responded to the Coal Canyon Fire near Edgemont, SD. During initial attack State Engine 561 was entrapped and burned over. Trampus Haskvitz was fatally injured in the burnover and four other firefighters received minor to moderate injuries as shifting winds rapidly spread flames into the area they were working. While firefighter safety is always the #1 priority when responding to incidents such as this, this is a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers of wildland firefighting.

As part of the safety stand-down today, wildland firefighters across the state spent the time reflecting on Trampus and the engine crew. They also talked about safety while dealing with the dangers of wildfires. Jim Strain, Chief of Operations for South Dakota Wildland Fire stated “the loss of Trampus and State Engine 561 was a tragic blow for the interagency wildland firefighting community and it reinforces that safety must come first in all fire ground operations.”

Further memorial services are planned this fall for Haskvitz and other firefighters that lost their lives in the call of duty in 2011. On October 6-7, at the National Fire Academy, Haskvitz and 74 other firefighters across the nation will be remembered during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, MD. And on October 14th, Haskvitz and six other firefighters will be memorialized at the South Dakota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service in Pierre, SD. Later this fall, a memorial cross with Trampus’ name will be placed in Coal Canyon at the entrapment site.