Please help Josh

Josh Higgins works corners at Oregon Raceway Park. He is a volunteer firefighter and was seriously burned while working on a Fire Department Vehicle. See story below.


Grass Valley, Oregon –South Sherman Fire & Rescue

Firefighter Josh Higgins was seriously burned while working on a department vehicle on Tuesday July 27, 2010 at approximately 4:30pm. Several firefighters were transferring an antique fire engine from the Kent sub-station to the main station in Grass Valley for a restoration project. The vehicle had broken down approximately three miles outside of Grass Valley, Firefighter Higgins was working in the engine compartment attempting to get the vehicle started again when a fire erupted engulfing him in flames. Captain Hendrix, as well as Firefighters Atkins and Liddicoat came immediately to his aid and helped extinguish the fire and administer first aid.

Sherman County Ambulance responded and transported Firefighter Higgins to Mid-Columbia Medical Center where he was later air lifted to the Oregon Burn Center in Portland with severe but non-life threatening burns. Captain Hendrix and Firefighter Atkins also suffered minor burns while extinguishing the fire. Firefighter Higgins has been with the department for seven months. He moved from New Hampshire to start a new life here in Sherman County. He is highly respected among fellow firefighters and loved in the community. This has been an extremely difficult time with our tight-knit firefighting family.

The members of South Sherman Fire & Rescue would like to thank Shaniko Fire Department and Moro Fire Department for covering calls during this time, Sherman County Ambulance for taking care of one of our firefighters, and the community for their support. A fund in Josh Higgins’ name has been started at the Bank of Eastern Oregon in Moro; however funds can be dropped off at any branch, or the Country Café in Grass Valley and the Tumbleweeds store in Shaniko.

We please ask that you do not call the Oregon Burn Center to respect Firefighter Higgins’ privacy, as he has a long road to recovery.