Incident Name: near Mayhill, NM on the Lincoln National Forest
Date: May 5, 2013
Personnel: Daniel Alan Davidson of Martin TN
Age: 26
Agency/Organization: US Forest Service
Position: firefighter on the Lincoln National Forest
Summary: Firefighter Dan Davidson was working on project work near Mayhill, NM, with two other engine crew members when he collapsed. CPR was administered immediately. However, when emergency personnel responded with the Life Flight helicopter, Davidson was pronounced deceased at the scene. The nature and cause of Davidson’s fatal injury remain under investigation.
Maps
Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest
Address: PO Box 288, 4 Lost Lodge Rd, Cloudcroft, NM 88317
Map pin in Mayhill, NM
{mosmap lat=’32.889391’|lon=’-105.478089’|marker=’0’|text=’Mayhill, NM’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Forest Service Announcement, Region 3, Southwest:From: Jeanne M Higgins -FS
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 12:52 PM
To: FS-pdl r3 all employees
Cc: DeCoster, Tim -FS; Tidwell, Tom -FS; Wagner, Mary -FS; Hubbard, James E -FS; Harbour, Tom -FS; Weldon, Leslie -FS
Subject: Fallen Wildland Firefighter Daniel Davidson
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we share the tragic news of the death of Fallen Wildland Firefighter, Daniel Davidson.
Davidson, age 26, was working on project work near Mayhill, NM, on Sunday afternoon with two other engine crew members, when he collapsed. CPR was administered immediately, however when emergency personnel responded with the Life Flight helicopter, Davidson was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The cause of Daniel Davidson’s death is under investigation.
Davidson, a U.S. Army veteran had served two tours in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division.
Following his tour in the Army, Davidson became a crew member of Engine 621 on the Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest.
Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Daniel.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Jeanne Higgins, Deputy Regional Forester, Southwestern Region
- Lincoln National Forest announcement; Link to the Website; Link to the Screen Capture.
- Forest Service: Monument Springs Firefighter Collapse FLA (2,574 K pdf)
Wildlandfire.com Links:
- Theysaid: 5/6/2013
- Hotlist Announcement and Condolences: NM-R3 Fatality Wildland Firefighter -Dan Davidson
Media Articles and Reports
- Daniel Davidson, a wildland firefighter and war veteran, dies Sunday5/7/2013 | Online Article (no longer online)
U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter Daniel Davidson, and an Afghanistan war veteran working near Mayhill, suddenly collapsed and died Sunday afternoon, a LNF spokeswoman said. Davidson, 26, of Martin, Tenn., served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and was a U.S. Army Specialist with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division. Lorretta L. Benavidez said Daniel Davidson was working with the Sacramento Ranger District Engine 621 on a Forest Service project with two other crew members when he suddenly collapsed. Benavidez said the crew members immediately attended to Davidson and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him. She said they continued CPR on Davidson until a life-flight helicopter arrived on the scene, then helicopter emergency personnel determined that Davidson had died,… (more at the link)
- USFA Memorial Database: Daniel Davidson
- USFS Heroes Memorial: Daniel Davidson
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Tragedy In Alamogordo: 26 Year Old Wildland Firefighter DiesMay 7, 2013 | Online Article
Davidson was a true hero and lived his life through service and dedication to his country, his community and his extensive circle of family and friends. He is survived by his mother, father and stepmother, two sisters and a brother, a 6-year old son, his fiancé and an unborn daughter, who is expected to arrive in this world in July. There are numerous friends and relatives whose lives he touched.
- Account Set Up to Help Local WomanMay 7th, 2013 – By Chris Stockdale | Online Article
An account has been set up at First State Bank in Martin to help an area woman in need.
Last weekend 2005 Westview graduate and US Army veteran, Dan Davidson died very unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm in New Mexico. Dan was working as firefighter for the New Mexico Forestry Department (should be US Forest Service).
Along with a son and many family members, Dan is survived by his fiance Terrah Eads of Martin and their little girl, who’s expected to be born around July 4th.
The account was set up to help Terrah during this difficult time. Anyone wishing to donate can contact First State in Martin or just stop by and ask about the account for Terrah.
Funeral services for Dan will be this Saturday at 11 at the First United Methodist Church in Martin. Burial will follow at the East Side Cemetery. Visitation is Friday evening at Murphy Funeral Home from four until seven.
- Obituary:Daniel Alan Davidson
(April 3, 1987 – May 5, 2013)Mr. Daniel Alan Davidson, age 26, died Sunday, 05/05/2013, in Weed (Otero County) New Mexico.
Mr. Davidson is survived by his son, Tyler Davidson of Franklin, TN; his parents, James E. Davidson of High Rolls, New Mexico and Cynthia Ward Davidson of Martin; brother, Joseph R. (Sara) Davidson of Richland, Washington; sisters, Sarah (Chad) McMahan of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Nicole Marie Davidson of Martin. He is survived by his fi’ancee, Terrah Eads of Martin, and his unborn daughter.
Mr. Davidson worked as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a graduate of Westview High School and a member of First Assembly of God Church in Martin.
- Services:Funeral service will be Saturday, May 11, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Martin at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow in East Side Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 10, 2013, at Murphy Funeral Home (207 Central Avenue, Martin TN) from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., or after 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the church until funeral time.
- Donation Account:Dan’s fiancé Terrah Eads of Martin TN is expecting their daughter about July 4. If anyone wishes to contribute to help with Terrah’s expenses, donations can be sent to
Savings Account 504-08453 or Routing # 084304243
Checks can be sent snail mail: First State Bank (attn Nancy Varner for Terrah Eads), 126 University Plaza, Martin, TN
Contributors to this article: Jeanne Higgins for the announcement, Mellie, Burk Minor of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, John Miller and many others
Please support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
