2017 07/08 CA William “Bill” Jaros

Incident Name: conditioning hike
Date: 07/08/2017
Personnel: William “Bill” Jaros
Age: 38
Agency/Organization: Six Rivers National Forest, USFS
Position: firefighter with Engine crew 312 assigned to the Gasquet/NRA Ranger District.

Summary: Wildland firefighter Bill Jaros died on July 8, 2017 while engaged in a conditioning hike with several members of his engine crew. He had been a Forest Service firefighter for more than 12 years, most recently as a crewmember on Engine 312 on the Six Rivers National Forest’s Gasquet Ranger District/Smith River National Recreation Area. He is greatly missed.

Bill Jaros, photo compliments of Six Rivers National Forest

Bill Jaros

Maps

Six Rivers National Forest’s Gasquet Ranger District/Smith River National Recreation Area

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07/09/2017Dear Six Rivers Family and Friends,
It saddens me to announce the untimely death of a William Jaros. William, Bill a firefighter with the forest service for over twelve years was with engine crew 312 assigned to the Gasquet/NRA Ranger District.

Yesterday, Bill was on a conditioning hike with several crew members and became ill, then collapsed. Immediate life-saving efforts were initiated, however Bill was not able to be revived.

USFS LEI helped us inform Bill’s next of kin in a Georgia early today and so I’m sending this out immediately after the family is notified.

A Critical Incident Stress Management team was been requested and are in route to the Gasquet/NRA district to support all that would like to talk about this sudden and tragic loss of life.

In accordance with agency protocols, a serious incident team will be arriving on the Gasquet/NRA district to gather all information concerning the loss of our fallen Six Rivers Family member. I will personally be on the Gasquet/NRA Ranger district to assist in all aspects related to Bills passing.

As we get more information surrounding Bill’s sudden and untimely passing, I will provide you this information in a timely manner. It is my intention to have an all Forest Members VTC meeting on Monday to provide you with the latest information as it becomes available.

My heartfelt condolences goes out to all that have served with Bill. This is a difficult time for the forest, and together we will make it through.

My heart and prayers goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of Bill—it is a loss for us all.

Sincerely

Michael Green
Acting Forest Supervisor
Press release from Six Rivers National Forest:Acting Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Michael Green announced today the loss of firefighter William “Bill” Jaros.
Bill had been a Forest Service firefighter for more than 12 years, most recently as a crewmember on Engine 312 on the forest’s Gasquet Ranger District/Smith River National Recreation Area

“It saddens me to announce the untimely and heartbreaking death of one of our own,” said Green. “Please keep Bill’s family and all of our Forest Service employees in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

On Saturday, July 8, Bill was on a conditioning hike with several crewmembers when he became ill and collapsed. Immediate life-saving efforts were initiated by his fellow crewmembers; however, they were unable to revive him.

Conditioning hikes, such as the one Engine 312 crewmembers were participating in on Saturday, are part of the continuing preparedness routine for firefighters.

In the coming days, the Forest Service will conduct a facilitated learning analysis to gather all information we can about this tragic loss.

The cause of death is under investigation through the Del Norte County Coroner’s office