First responders deal with tragedy on every shift. We are used to helping others. We are prepared to respond to the physical and emotional trauma of others with care and empathy. Yet, we are often lost when it comes to dealing with our own trauma. On June 29, 2025, two firefighters responding to a wildland fire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, were ambushed and killed. Another firefighter was critically injured.
In my career, I was involved with responses to several line-of-duty deaths. We also had deaths of first responders that were not in the line of duty but were just as tragic and difficult to fathom. I’ve attended heart-wrenching memorial services for fallen officers. As an emergency manager working on the largest wildfire in our county’s history, I received a death threat against me.
The truth is that we can fool ourselves into thinking we are prepared–that we will handle whatever circumstances are in front of us and then move on to the next call with no ill effects. It is the lie we tell ourselves. This lie fails us when an intentional and premeditated act of violence against our fellow first responders smacks us in the face. For some reason, we depend on the fallacy that our moral, righteous aim to help people will protect us like a cloak. Law enforcement officers know better, most EMS and fire personnel don’t.
The senseless tragedy in Idaho is not the first time fire and EMS have been targets. I knew someone who started his career as a paramedic in a large city. He was shot at on more than one occasion. He told me how they learned to load patients quickly for their own safety. If we live in a rural setting, though, we expect something different. Should we?
My mind goes back to West Webster, New York, Christmas Eve, 2012. A lone gunman set his house on fire, waited across the street until firefighters arrived. Two killed and two injured. Seven homes were ultimately destroyed in the blaze. The gunman ended his own life. West Webster is an idyllic lakefront town, not a large city. If not for the luck of an off-duty officer approaching the scene and blocking the road, more victims could have resulted on that Christmas Eve. This town never forgets, especially when a similar incident dominates the headlines. See a recent story here: West Webster shooting similarities to Idaho incident.
Fairmont, Minnesota is a lake community with about 10,000 residents. Not a big city. In October of 2010, a man set his house on fire and waited for responders. That day, it was a police officer and a neighbor who were both wounded. Before the gunman fired his weapon, there was no warning. No indication of what was to come. The gunman ended his own life shortly afterwards. Perhaps because no one was killed, there are few news reports remembering this incident. Here is one: Shot officer reflects on incident.
We can’t be ready for everything. It’s impossible. We can develop defensive tactics we use during responses, which is how law enforcement is trained. Does training for potentially dangerous scenarios need to increase? I’m sure many agencies will discuss it.
One thing is clear. You can use the term “evil,” or “mental health crisis,” or any other term to describe the reasons for these incidents, but it won’t stop them from happening. Yes, we need to look at ways to prevent them. But that will require looking at the complexities of the problem and being honest about what we can and will change that may prevent future incidents.
For now, we need to take time. We need to pause in order to process what happened in Idaho and what it means for us as a community. We need to honor the lives of the men who died, and remember the man who is still recovering from his wounds. As an individual first responder, you need to remember the best therapy is to talk it out. Talk to your peers, to your family, to your friends. You may not be ready to do this immediately, but please realize that talking to someone you trust is a proven way you can help yourself.
I would also encourage you to reach out. Perhaps the incident in Idaho brings back memories, or fears. Pain or trauma is not a sign of weakness. Feel free to reach out to us at Equature, at koconnell@equature.com, and we can put you in touch with a Chaplain, or help you find other trauma help sources in your area. We may all find ourselves unexpectedly experiencing emotions that threaten to overwhelm us. Please know, you are not alone.
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