2013 08/30 NM Token Adams

 

 

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Incident Name:  Schoolhouse Mesa; Token was scouting the lightning-caused 30-acre StableFire and smaller Schoolhouse Fire;  Holiday Incident Search and Rescue, Jemez RD, Santa FeNational ForestDate: incident date: 8/30/2013; body found 9/6/2013 about 1145 hrsPersonnel: Token Mark AdamsAge: 41Agency/Organization: USFSPosition: Engine Captain

Summary: Token Adams and two other firefighters were scouting a 25-acre fire on ATVs in theJemez Wilderness on 8/30/2013. They separated with plans to meet later. Two came back;Token did not and was reported missing. Hundreds of responders searched in dangerousterrain for Token. Reinarz' NM Type 1 Incident Management Team was called in to coordinatethe search.

Karen Takai, PIO on the terrain: "The roads out here are like spaghetti — it winds together andit’s extremely confusing and dangerous. There are two- to three-hundred-foot drops. You havecliffs on the side. That’s the kind of terrain we’re dealing with,” she said. “The brush is even sothick they have used a heat-sensing airplane, but there was nothing found.”

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Token Adams' body was found by a group of Native American searchers in the JemezWilderness a week after he was reported missing. Adams' all-terrain vehicle is reported to havefallen on top of him, but the investigation is not complete. The fire he was scouting wascontained at 25 acres.

 

Maps

Jemez Mountains, Stable Mesa near Jemez Springs "He was trying to get on SchoolhouseMesa from Stable Mesa (where ICP was)." USNG:  13S CV 42 66 Exact location below:

{mosmap lat='35.796690'|lon='-106.770858'|marker='0'|text='Accident Location'}

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Search and Rescue Briefing Map:

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Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned

- Holiday Incident Search and Rescue News Release, Sept 2, 2013

Holiday Incident (Missing Firefighter) Evening Update

Monday, September 2, 2013, 6 pm: The search for Jemez Ranger District (Santa Fe NationalForest) wildland firefighter, Token Adams, continued today after rain storms caused anovernight delay. Over 250 individuals from the Carson National Forest, Santa Fe NationalForest, NM National Guard, NM State Police, NM Search and Rescue and various otheragencies are actively looking for Token. NM State Police are also providing a helicopter to

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assist in the search.

The Southwest Incident Management Type 1 Team, Incident Commander Joe Reinarz, will takeover command of search efforts Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. The Team will beginin-briefing starting 12 noon Tuesday, September 3.

Please direct all information requests at this time to the Jemez Ranger District

- Incident: Holiday Incident Search and Rescue News Release, Sept 3, 2013

Holiday Incident - Search Continues for Missing Firefighter

Tuesday, September 3, 2013, 10am - The search for Jemez Ranger District (Santa Fe NationalForest) wildland firefighter, Token Adams, was hampered again yesterday by heavy afternoonrains. The steep, rugged, dense terrain has also challenged efforts despite the over 250personnel involved in the search. The terrain in the vicinity of the search is described asextreme topography with steep uphill and downhill trails and sheer cliffs.

Token, the engine captain on a Jemez Ranger District engine has been missing for four days.The last communication from Token was received on Friday afternoon from Holiday Mesa. Heand other firefighters from the Ranger District were responding to a smoke report and searchingfor the 25-acre School House Fire located near School House Mesa.

Despite the NM Search and Rescue grid pattern being used by the professional and dedicatedpersonnel on the incident, search efforts have not been successful. Personnel are using GPSas part of this grid pattern and are being asked to report their locations hourly. Searchers willfocus today on determining that certain areas have been fully searched.

Weather predictions for today and tonight are for a 60% chance of showers and thunderstormswhich will once again affect both air and ground operations.

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The Southwest Incident Management Type 1 Team, Incident Commander Joe Reinarz, willassume command of search efforts as part of a unified command along with multiple Federal,State, County and local agencies, on Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m.

The family continues to ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.

Please direct all information requests to the Holiday Incident Information Center at the JemezRanger District. Holiday Incident information is also being posted to www.inciweb.org

- Inciweb SAR on Sept 2, 2013

- Missing Person Poster requesting help in finding Token:

 

- The Rest of the Inciweb Archives [ Inciweb Archives ] on this incident: includes infosurrounding the daily SAR Efforts, headed by Reinarz' NM Type 1 Incident Management Team,finding Token's body, and the memorials and services. - Forest Service: 72-hour Preliminary Information Report Schoolhouse Mesa Fire Accident

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(183 K pdf) - Forest Service: Schoolhouse Fire ATV Accident -- Letter - Forest Service: Schoolhouse Fire ATV Accident Report

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Wildlandfire.com Links:

- Theysaid: 9/1/2013 - Hotlist: NM-SNF-Holiday, 9/2/2013

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Media Articles and Reports

- Search resumes for firefighter missing in northern NM

9/1/2013 | Online Article

AP. Jemez Springs, N.M. — Crews were back on the ground on Monday searching for a ForestService firefighter who vanished in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico onFriday while sizing up a wildfire’s perimeter on an ATV.

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Forest Service spokeswoman Karen Takai said 100 searchers were scouring mesas andcanyons amid heavy timber, brush and grass for 41-year-old Token Adams in the area of Jemez(HAY’-mus) Springs.

He failed to return to a pre-arranged meeting point Friday afternoon with two other firefighterswho were also riding ATVs around the 25-acre wildfire southeast of Fenton Lake. ForestService spokesman John Helmich said the lightning-started wildfire was fully contained lateFriday. (More at the link...)

- Search for Token Adams, missing NM firefighter, hampered by weather in Santa FeNational Forest

9/3/2013 | Online Article

The search for missing New Mexico firefighter Token Adams has entered its fifth day with nosign of the missing California native as 250 people continue to comb the Santa Fe NationalForest in tough weather conditions.

Adams, 41, an engine captain with the Santa Fe-based Jemez Ranger District, went missingFriday afternoon after being dispatched to scout a wildfire. (More at the link...)

- Token Adams family speaks out

9/5/2013 | Online Article

Jemez Springs, N.M. — For the first time since Jemez Springs firefighter Token Adams wasreported missing this past week, his family is reacting to the ongoing search.

As 250 people scoured the forest Thursday, the search’s sixth day, there’s few who want to findhim more than his 3-year-old son. “(Tristan) keeps asking for daddy,” said Adams’ father-in-lawHarold David Abbott. “We tell him daddy is in the woods, daddy’s missing and we’ve got awhole lot of people trying to find him.”

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Abbott and his wife flew in from Maine the minute they heard Adams was missing. Abbot saidhis daughter, Adams’ wife, is hanging tough. “(Our daughter) is remarkably strong,” said Abbott.“She really is.” She is a little more than a week away from giving birth. “I know without a doubteverything and anything that can be done is being done,” said Abbott.

Crews are searching on the ground and from the sky. No clues have been found. It’s beenalmost one week since Adams went missing, along with his ATV.

There were no choppers involved in the search Thursday because the infrared technology theyalready used in past days did not show signs of Adams. (More at the link...)

- Missing Firefighter Found Deceased

9/6/2013 | Online VIDEO (ABQJournal Channel)

Firefighter Token Adams, who was missing for a week, has been found deceased in the SantaFe National Forest.

- Token Adams found dead

Family thanked those who helped in search

9/6/2013 | Online Article

JEMEZ SPRINGS, N.M. — U.S. Forest Service Officials said Token Adams' body was found atabout 11:45 a.m. Friday. Officials said an autopsy must be preformed to determine Adams'official cause of death. They also said they believe he was injured in an ATV accident.

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Staff members at the press conference were wearing purple ribbons. They are commonlyassociated with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. It provides help to the families of fallenfirefighters.

Hundreds of responders have taken on dangerous terrain to find Adams during the past week.Adams' family said they're thankful to those who helped in the search. (More at the link...)

- Press Conference 9/6/13

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Photos, Videos, & Tributes

- From Inciweb: Video Recording from Sept 5 News Conference is currently online

Update: A recording of the news conference provided by the Albequerque Journal is alsoavailable: Missing Firefighter Found Deceased

- From Inciweb: Reflecting on Fallen Firefighter Token Adams

Saturday, September 7, 2013 – 11:00 am

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Today the family and friends of Token Adams take time to reflect. It has been 7 days sinceToken was reported missing. Following a full week of intense searching by a multitude ofagency personnel as well as hundreds of volunteers all coordinated by New Mexico State PoliceSearch and Rescue along with the Southwest Incident Management Team Token’s body waslocated and recovered. At 10:30 pm last night following a half-day of investigation Token wasescorted in a procession of Engines and Law Enforcement into Jemez Springs. He was givenone final tour through the Jemez Ranger District compound as district employees family andfriends lined the driveway to welcome Token back to the fire shop one final time.

Token was an Engine Captain working in Jemez Springs NM. He was 41 years old and hadbeen an Engine Captain on the Jemez Ranger District for 1 ½ years. He was a wildlandfirefighter for 10 years including previous experience as a hotshot. Before coming to the ForestService Token served in the U.S. Navy. Token grew up in the community of CoarsegoldCalifornia and was a 1990 graduate of Yosemite High School in Oakhurst California.

Token is survived by his wife Heidi a 3 year old son Tristan his mother a brother and sister.Token’s wife Heidi is expecting their second child. He is also survived by his Forest Servicefamily and the entire wildland firefighter community.

A memorial service for Token is being planned at this time. Information on the investigation andmemorial service will be forthcoming as it becomes available. All public and media are asked toplease respect the privacy of Token’s family and friends during this time of mourning.

- Announcement of Candlelight Vigil

Sunday, Sept 8 2013 | Inciweb

A candlelight vigil to remember and honor fallen wildland firefighter Token Adams has beenplanned for tonight Sunday September 8th at 8 pm. The vigil is being hosted by area churches.The location of the vigil is the Jemez Springs Park. The public is asked to please provide yourown candles.

- Announcement of Memorial Service

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Sept 9, 2013 | Inciweb

A memorial service has been scheduled for Fallen Firefighter Token Adams. The serviceinformation is as follows:

Thursday September 12th 2013 at 10:00 amCalvary of Albuquerque4001 Osuna Rd. NEAlbuquerque NM 87109

To get further information about the service for Token Adams please go to danielsfunderal.com.

Internment

Thursday, September 12, 2013Vista Verde Memorial Park4310 Sara Rd SE Rio Rancho, NM, 87124

- Facebook: Token Adams - NM Governor Susana Martinez (9/6/2013):

"Token is an American hero, and he died in the way he lived: serving and protecting us. Onlytime will heal the tremendous pain felt by the beautiful family Token leaves behind, and he willnever be forgotten. I join the people of New Mexico in mourning his loss and sending ourthoughts and prayers to Heidi, Tristan, and their little baby."

- US Senator Tom Udall Statement on firefighter Token Adams following the news thatmissing Jemez Ranger District Engine Captain Token Adams has died (9/6/2013).

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"I am thankful for Token Adams's courage as he fought fires to protect all of us, and I amthankful to the crews who worked through difficult conditions to find him. His death is a very sadloss for our community and a reminder of the risks our firefighters and first responders faceevery day to keep our communities safe. My deepest sympathies are with Token's family, hisfriends and his crewmates during this difficult time."

- In Memory of Token Adams Donation Page created by Kate Dennison, family friend - USFS Heroes Memorial: Token Adams - USFA Memorial Database: Token Adams

Photos of Token provided by Karen Takai, PIO for the Santa Fe NF. Blackhawk helicopter photoprovided by the NM National Guard.

- Token is memorialized with other firefighters in Bastrop, TX Memorial Garden . - USFA Memorial Database: Token Adams - USFS Heroes Memorial: Token Adams

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Contributors to this article: John Miller, Joe Rienarz Incident Management Team, RJM,Wildland Firefighter Foundation

 

Please support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation

 

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