Incident Name: Division W of the Raft Fire, Weiser Complex
Date: Accident date: September 2, 2013; Death date: November 17, 2014
Personnel: Timothy “TJ” Harrison
Age: 57
Agency/Organization: private contractor under contract with the Forest Service
Position: transport operator, dozer operator
Summary: On September 2, 2013, a D-5 dozer operated by Tim “TJ” Harrison rolled 310 feet down a steep slope on the Payette National Forest north of Weiser, Idaho. The contract dozer was assigned to Division W of the Raft Fire of the Weiser Complex. Tim, still in the dozer, came to rest on their side near a tree; he was still seat-belted in. Firefighters and medical ff – the San Juan Hotshots — arrived quickly, immobilized him, and rendered aid. They called for Life Flight, created a helispot, transported Tim by stretcher to it and he was flown to St Alphonsus Hosppital in Boise, ID. Tim was critically injured but survived the accident. He was paralyzed. On November 17, 2014 — fourteen months after the accident — he died, surrounded by his large and loving family.
Maps
Division W of the Raft Fire, Weiser Complex
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- US Forest Service: Weiser Complex Dozer Rollover 24-hour Report (80 K pdf)
- US Forest Service: Weiser Complex Dozer Rollover FLA (Facilitated Learning Analysis) (2,715 K pdf)
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
- One injured in dozer rollover09/03/13 | Online Article (Idaho Statesman article no longer online)
A dozer operator was seriously injured Monday during a rollover while he was constructing a helispot on the Raft Fire, part of the Weiser Complex. Timothy Harrison, 55, was hospitalized in critical condition. The U.S. Forest Service is conducting an investigation into the accident. (more at the link…)
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Find a grave record: Timothy James HarrisonBirth: Oct. 6, 1957
Death: Nov. 17, 2014
Timothy James Harrison, 57, of Weiser, passed away November 17, 2014 in Weiser, ID. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Exhibit Hall. Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.
- Timothy James (TJ) Harrison (56 years old)1957 — 2014
Timothy James (TJ) Harrison was born October 6, 1957 in Emmett, Idaho to Bob and Twila Harrison and joined two siblings, Terry and Ronda. He passed away November 17, 2014 with loved ones by his side at his home in Weiser. The Harrison family moved to Cambridge in 1963. Tim was a 1976 graduate from Cambridge High School where he was active in basketball and foot ball and was part of the 1975-76 State Championship 8-man football team.
Cambridge is where he and his family ran their logging businesses, where he met his wife Missy and raised three sons Levi, Ian and Zach. Tim was very active in his community and was always a helping hand to his community and to any family in crisis. Tim had a love for the Cambridge valley and surrounding mountains where he and his family often snowmobiled and rode four-wheelers in surrounding areas.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Twila Harrison, brother Terry Harrison, grandmother Sabra Johns, and niece Heather Fry.
Tim is survived by his wife Missy Harrison of Weiser, Idaho; sons Levi Harrison and wife Julia of New Plymouth, Idaho; Ian Harrison and girlfiend Baili of Weiser; Zach Harrison and girlfriend Ashley of Weiser; sister Ronda Wagner and husband Kim of Weiser; sister in law Cecilia Harrison of Boise; Jana and husband Ted Iverson of Nyssa, Oregon; 3 grandchildren Bradie, Logan, and Hope; and countless nieces and nephews, friends and family. Memorials services will be held November 22, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Cambridge Exhibit Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be made to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, 2049 Airport Way, Boise ID, 83705.
Published in Idaho Statesman on Nov. 20, 2014 – See more at legacy.com
Contributors to this article: Mellie
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