Incident Name: Pack Test / WCT
Date: 4/7/2015
Personnel: Matthew C Miller, Sr
Age: 51
Agency/Organization: refresher pack test coordinated by private companies in Oregon; Matt was owner and operator of Miller and Sons Tree Service; Grayback Forestry
Position: feller, hand crew team member and equipment operator
Summary:
Firefighter Matt Miller was participating in the RT-130 refresher Work Capacity Test (WCT) to prepare for the upcoming wildland season. He completed a lap of the track and then told test administrators that he needed to use the restroom. Test administrators followed Firefighter Miller to the restroom and checked on his well being.
Firefighter Miller was found to be unconscious and the emergency medical service was called. Test administrators began CPR and treatment was turned over to responding firefighters and EMS workers upon their arrival. Firefighter Miller was transported to the hospital but did not survive. His death was caused by a heart attack.
Photo from the Pacific Ridgeline Forestry announcement of his death (link below).
{mosmap lat=’42.517042’|lon=’-123.370985’|marker=’0’|text=’Track area in Merlin, OR’}
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Pacific Ridgeline Forestry News Release on April 8, 2015
Wildlandfire.com Links:
- USFA Memorial Database: Matthew C Miller, Sr
Contributors to this article: Mellie
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