Three U.S. Forest Service Firefighters Receive Final Salute
Three firefighters, who perished during a raging wildfire in Colorado, were remembered by hundreds Sunday.
Photos of U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Emily Barker, 38, of Michigan; U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Arizona and U.S. Wildland Fire Service Firefighter Sydney Watson, 27, of Alabama, graced the stage at a memorial service in Grand Junction Sunday.
“They showed up to make order out of chaos day after day with purpose, dedication and heart,” U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy told the crowd, the AP reported.
They were killed June 27 by a raging wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border that also left two other firefighters burned.
In their honor, flags at all USDA and Forest Service facilities will be flying half staff for the rest of the week.
Fellow wildland firefighters participated in a bell ringing, a longtime fire department tradition.
Emily Barker
Barker was known for her love of animals, hockey, hiking, skiing and firefighting. She was a member of Ironwood Township Fire Department while attending college in Michigan
Sarah Brubeck called her friend "the toughest, strongest girl I knew."
The former roommate added without a doubt, she knows what Barker was doing in her final moments on that mountain -- looking out for everyone.
"She was just so excited to be a part of that and fighting that fire..."
Nick Hutcherson
Hutcherson, a U.S. Navy veteran, had plans to become a physical therapy doctor.
Fennessy said Hutcherson was actively involved in the deaf community and often signed for the hearing-impaired.
He “embodied the spirit of public service” Fennessy said.
Hutcherson was eager to teach sign language to fellow firefighters so they could communicate amid the helicopter noise.
Sydney Watson
“From the time she was very young, she knew she wanted to be a firefighter someday,” Fennessy said.
Watson found her niche early and nothing was going to deter her.
In an application to participate in Women in Fire Training Exchange (WTREX) in 2023, she said she wanted to learn and share her passion for firefighting, colleagues wrote.
But she didn't stop there. She had a goal in mind -- to be a burn boss.
"I hope one day, apart from working in fire, to teach others about this career."
On Sunday, the head of the new U.S. Wildland Fire Servce told the audience: “I have no doubt she inspired many young women to become a firefighter."
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Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.