On July 25, 2008 National Park Service firefighter Andrew Palmer, 18, a firefighter on Engine 701 at Olympic National Park and headquartered in Port Angeles, Wash. died while working on the Iron Complex of fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The incident occurred on the southwest flank of the Eagle Fire where Andy’s engine crew was assigned as a falling team to Bravo Division. Their assignment was to support hand and engine crews during mop-up operations, mitigating hazard trees ahead of the crews along the fireline.
Andy was a dedicated and energetic firefighter who loved his job. He had an unerring sense of right and wrong since childhood. He will always be remembered as one who held himself to the highest principles of truth, fairness, justice and kindness. He was loyal, honest and trustworthy – loved by all that knew him. He will be missed but we will all be better for having known him. Andy would ask those who survive him to conduct their lives with integrity and compassion for a better world.
Andy’s parents, Bob and Janet Palmer have established
the Andrew Jackson Palmer Memorial Scholarship fund in memory of their
son. The scholarship will be awarded to students of Port Townsend and
Port Angeles High Schools, which Andy had attended. Andy’s fellow
crewmembers and family wished to honor Andy by producing a T-Shirt,
where proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts will all go to the Scholarship
fund. The shirts may be ordered through Andy’s fellow engine crewmember,
Jeremy Johnson, on the attached order form. Please include your e-mail
address if you would like to be updated on how much is raised for the
scholarship fund.
