Grant West Incident, Daniel Holmes Fatality

On the morning of Saturday October 2, 2004, staff from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park began a prescribed burn in the Grant Grove area. The Grant West prescribed burn was part of larger effort to reduce risks from wildfire, protect resources and reintroduce fire as a critical part of the landscape.

During the seemingly common task of sizing up a burning snag and relocating a hose lay, Daniel Holmes, a member of the Arrowhead Hotshots, was struck and killed by a burning top from a tree. Dan was 26 years old.

Studying the events of the accident and the stories of grief, resilience and recovery allows us to gain wisdom from his sacrifice.

Duration:

13 minutes, 21 seconds

Detailed look into the Grant West Incident Staff Ride. Learn from Subject Matter Experts and people who were present at the incident on October 2, 2004, describe their experiences and perspectives.

Incident Resources

Supplemental materials and mental health resources for the Grant West Incident - Daniel Holmes fatality.

Reports, Action Plan, and Q&A

Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO), Department of the Interior Memo

Transmittal of the Daniel Holmes Fatality Investigation Report, Management Review and Corrective Action Plan

Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection /s/ Karen Taylor-Goodrich Memo

Fatality Investigation Report, Management Review and Corrective Action Plan for the Daniel Holmes Accident

National Park Service Releases Fatality Investigation Report 

Management Review Corrective Action Plan for the Daniel Holmes Accident

Board of Review Management Review and Corrective Action Plan

• Cover Memorandum for Transmittal of Management Review and Corrective Action Plan

Final Report—Holmes Accident Investigation

Final Report of the Serious Accident Investigation Team (SAIT) and Board of Review (BOR) regarding Daniel Holmes Fatality

Questions & Answers (Q&A) Related to the Holmes Accident Investigation

Questions and Answers in support of the Final Report regarding the Daniel Holmes fatality and investigation

72 Hour Report—Grant West Prescribed Fire (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks)

72 Hour Report relating to the fatality of Arrowhead Hotshot, Daniel Holmes. Report date—October 3, 2004

24 Hour Report—Grant West Prescribed Fire (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks)

24 Hour Report relating to the fatality of Arrowhead Hotshot, Daniel Holmes. Report date—October 5, 2004

Mental Health Resources

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Free and confidential support for anyone that is in distress; you do not need to be experiencing suicidal ideation to utilize the service.

• Available 24/7
• Call or text 988
• For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
• Online chat available at 988lifeline.org/chat

Veterans Crisis Line

If you are a Veteran in need of support, please connect with the Veterans Crisis Line

• Call 988, then press 1
• Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 83825
• Chat online by visiting veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now-chat

Employee Assistance Program (EAP; Espyr/Acentra Health)

Services are confidential and provide free sessions with a licensed mental health provider.

• Call 800-869-0276 to speak with a live counselor 24/7, 7 days a week
• Visit EAP SharePoint (National Park Service internal link)

Responder 911 - National Park Service only

This service provides access to a trained mental health professional who specializes in working with law enforcement and first responder personnel.

• For first responders in the National Park Service
• 888-918-3332
• Support offered via phone
• Fully confidential

Wildland Firefighter Foundation Mental Health Program

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation Mental Health Program has been created specifically for the wildland fire community. They provide free, immediate and confidential support through licensed therapists who are experienced in wildland fire.

• For assistance, email [e-mail]

ResponderStrong

Resources for responders to help find answers to questions, access to self-assessments, mindfulness practice and much more. ResponderStrong believes in giving responders access to tools to protect against emotional and mental health exposures.

If you or a loved one are in crisis, you can text BADGE to 741-741 to connect confidentially with a trained crisis counselor.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)

SAMSHA Disaster Distress Helpline provides a 24/7 crisis counseling for those affected by natural disasters like wildfires.

• Call 800-985-5990

Warmline

Warmline is an organization that is staffed with peers that you can call and have a conversation with, when you are not able to talk with friends, family or coworkers.

• warmline.org

Dan Holmes

NPS

This Day in History - 6 Minutes for Safety - Grant West Rx
This Day in History is a brief summary of a powerful learning opportunity and is not intended to second guess or be judgmental of decisions and actions. Put yourself in the following situation as if you do not know what the outcome will be. What are the conditions? What are you thinking? What are YOU doing?