Incident Name:
Date: 6/8/2004
Personnel: Willie R Grudzinski
Age: 46
Agency/Organization: Bridger Volunteer Fire Department, Bridger, MT
Position: firefighter
Summary: Assistant Chief Grudzinski and other members of his fire department were completing the low-intensity version of the annual work capacity pack test. The test requires a hike of 1 mile without a pack in less than 16 minutes. After the completion of the test in 14 minutes and 1 second, Assistant Chief Grudzinski commented that the test had “kind of kicked his butt.” Firefighters went back to the firehouse. While at the fire station, Chief Grudzinski was seen checking his pulse frequently. At the time, the frequent checks did not cause any concern. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes after completing the test, Assistant Chief Grudzinski collapsed due to a heart attack. Firefighters who heard the dispatch rushed to Assistant Chief Grudzinski’s home to assist EMS responders. Despite all efforts to revive him, Assistant Chief Grudzinski died.
Maps
Bridger Volunteer Fire Department
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Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- USFA Memorial Database: William Richard Grudzinski
- Montana Death Index: William Grudzenski
Wildlandfire.com Links:
Media Articles and Reports
Photos, Videos, & Tributes
- Find a Grave Index: William GrudzenskiBridger Cemetary, Bridger, MT
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