One key characterand the only firefighter to survive because he was posted some distance away on watch dutyis Brendan McDonough. Brendans life was much like that of the people who walk through the doors of Holdfast Recovery today. After about an hour, he left. Brendan McDonough, Yarnell Hill Fire survivor, speaks at the memorial service for the 19 firefighters that died on the fire. All 19 of his brother Hotshots had just been killed by the ripping Yarnell Hill blaze in the largest loss of life among firefighters since the 9/11 attacks. View the map. I really want to share some of my darker moments, and help people know that its okay to get help. It was a class act. I think what the attorney Paladini said, it wasn, t from my mouth and I never talked to Paladini, so what he had to say wasn, t correct. Why aren't they sitting here with me?'" Prior to his appointment Brendan McDonagh was Director Finance, Technology & Risk with the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). "Whoever didn't bring their phone, I could hear phones ringing, knowing that it was their wives, their family," McDonough recounted in an exclusive interview with ABC News to air on "Good Morning America" today. He said he didnt talk to Willis and doesnt remember him talking to others on the crew. And I came to a point where I just didn't have any more tears.". s what really pushed me to get help. t make any sense, and some people really struggle with that. Amanda's gateway into alcoholism began when she was 8, after she witnessed several gruesome murders while visiting a friend's home. Building a sense of brotherhood within communities gives McDonough greatjoy because it helps this fighter honor the legacy of his 19 lost, but not forgotten, brothers. Steed told him he was listening to it and asked McDonough if hed heard it. I wanted to clear things up with the wildland firefighting community. I wouldnt sell out my brothers that saved my life in order to do a book. He is haunted by the last words of his boss. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Because of his experience gained in planning festivals and live-events, Brendan was hired to be the Festival Coordinator for the National Folk Festival to be hosted in Butte. Great article Bill thank you! [1][2], McDonough played four years of college soccer at Georgetown University between 2015 and 2018, where he made 63 appearances, scoring 2 goals, and tallying 2 assists. "From where they were, they could see it picking up. The next day on the fire near Yarnell, Steed, as the acting Superintendent may have thought that McDonough was not quite 100 percent recovered when he assigned him to serve as a lookout for the crew staying in one spot observing the fire, taking weather observations, and updating the rest of the crew on the status of the fire and where it was in relation to their location. the untold story of the Yarnell Hill Fire lone survivor. As he writes, he remembers stories from his hotshot days, and he says it illuminates for him what is still painful that he can address in counseling. Prescott Fire Department Chief Dan Fraijo asked that a firm decision be made at the council's next meeting Aug. 20 as to how the crew would be structured so the department can begin hiring and training for it. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. In the spring of 2015 he was invited to participate in a portion of a relay that began in New York City and ended in Dallas, Texas, organized by Carry the Load. [6], On August 7, 2019, McDonough was loaned to USL Championship side Charlotte Independence for the remainder of the season. On the next day, Oct. 12, McDonough began calling to say he wanted to see the kids and have a family dinner. Brendan McDonough joined the Granite Mountain Hotshots as a seasonal employee in April 2011. Brendan Smialowski--AFP-Getty Images . "I sunk. 1981 Graduate of Bentley College in Waltham. Im going to even things up., At another point he writes, do you want to see your kids grow up? I really want to share some of my darker moments, and help people know that it, by doing the book and that I was going to write about something that I didn. Do you think there might be an opportunity for you to follow up with Brendan if you feel some good questions were raised? And he is determined not to let down the families of the Nineteen, either. You don't quit. Hey, its about time for you to get out of there, said Steed over the radio. Granite Mountain's lone Hotshot 19 survivor, Brendan McDonough shares his journey of survival beyond the fire, and talks recovery that only a loving, available God can provide. No one. It saved my life. So, how much is Brendan McDonough worth at the age of 26 years old? He's gotten a young woman named Natalie pregnant. Born September 6, 1947 in Providence he was the son of the late Thomas and Phyllis (Kubilius) McDonough. $50. The hotshot crew was the best thing that ever happened to me. Have you talked with him since you ran it? Today he is a public speaker and CEO of Holdfast Recovery. https://www.holdfastrecovery.com Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. , money, salary, income, and assets. McDonough said he joined the Hotshots after some trouble with the law and credits the experience with helping him overcome his troubled teenage years. Brendan McDonough was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. I knew I needed to deal with it because I started having suicidal thoughts. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. McDonough said. McDonough is not currently working at a conventional job; he is working on a book, which he says has been therapeutic for him. That would be the assignment that would separate him from the others and save his life. Inside the Granite Mountain Hotshots' station house in Prescott, in his first visit only weeks after the catastrophic loss, McDonough felt at ease -- enough to reveal his deep pain over not being with his friends, who were all like family to him, when they died in their boots. Its really nice to be able to have that.. He had never talked to me face to face, and Chief Willis did another article saying that, McDonough explains that the post-fire trauma, the investigations, and multiple lawsuits were a huge strain on him, and he certainly didn, everyone was trying to blame them and I just wanted people to know that these guys were amazing men and they got caught in a really bad situation. He was at what wildland firefighters call their trigger point -- time to make a move. Brendan McDonough was born on 27 December, 1996 in Lancaster, California, United States. So, I am going to exercise my arbitrary and capricious ability to call for a strategic pause. Public defender Dean Velodota told the judge McDonough has been in the state five years and was not a flight risk. And mentally, I can. Sunk into my seat, I sunk into myself," he said. She let him and he visited with the children, did not mention harming himself, then left. If you did, do you know if Jesse Steed or Eric Marsh heard it? The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick host a banquet annually on March 16th. "May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields". I said, 'Okay.'". The day before, he had been sent home sick by, Jesse Steed, Captain and second in command, of the crew. McDonough told ABC's "Good Morning America" in an interview aired Wednesday that he learned of his fellow Hotshots' deaths while back with his crew's vehicles after hitching a ride with another Hotshot crew. But the Granite Mountain crew's radios went silent as firefighters in Yarnell watched the fire front advance, and the 20th Hotshot grew increasingly anxious. I remember I was just sitting there in shock., McDonough was scheduled to provide sworn testimony during a deposition on May 28, 2015 in Phoenix, but he said it was canceled by the State of Arizona. Covered in soot over his bright yellow protective clothing and heavy boots as darkness fell on June 30, waves of guilt for being the only Hotshot spared death was a gut punch made all the more painful by the chirping phones behind him in the buggy. CBS News obtained paperwork that shows Ashcraft did earn a full-time salary. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. Select this result to view Brendan McDonough's phone number, address, and more. I remember seeing him when everything started happening. Not just a hotshot crew or nineteen fire brothers. Festival Coordinator National Folk Festival. It, McDonough is not currently working at a conventional job; he is working on a book, which he says has been therapeutic for him. Instead of moving north, it started moving south as the flame front leapt from 25 to 50 feet high. He played three years for Charlotte Catholic High School, while spending his junior year in Germany training with both FT Braunschweig and Eintracht Braunschweig. I was the only person they're going to see," McDonough said. At his wife Kari's insistence, McDonough briefly gave up the bike after a traffic . Brendan McDonough, speaking here in an exclusive interview with ABC News, was the only member of his 20-man Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot firefighting crew to survive the Yarnell Hill Fire in late June 2013. He was the beloved husband of Donna (Fratus) McDonough. McDonougth does say he suffers from serious mental health issues, Velodota said. My daughter comes up to me, saying, Hey Daddy. Now your not going to. I know they were asked to come to Yarnell if it was possible and Eric said. He likes Prescott, he says, but acknowledges that it. 1579 West Gurley St Nothing on this site should be taken as medical advice for any individual Thats not who I am. ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report. Paula Ann Reed McDonough passed away at her home in Keene Valley on Feb. 5, 2021. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. Brendan McDonough, 21, was serving as lookout and relaying key information to his team when the wildfire suddenly changed direction Andrew Ashcraft died beside 18 of his 'hotshot' comrades on. He assured Steed that he had. And when Donut thinks of their fallen, he gazes down at the inked words on his arm, which end with hope. As Tarr got closer to the site he reported, "I could hear voices coming from the area of the shelters," but after yelling into the smoke soon came upon charred black human remains. Brendan McDonough would serve as lookout. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 27 December. Just -- a typical day, going direct on a fire," he told ABC News. Im not going to be riding around in a Maserati from a book.. He told ABC his time with the crew was both the best and worst memories of his life. Wife: Not Available: Sibling: Not Available: Children: Not Available: Brendan McDonough Net Worth. At 26 years old, Brendan McDonough height He says everyone else was telling their side of the story, and he wanted to tell his side. But at first, this one on a boulder-strewn hillside at 5,000 feet outside the small town of Yarnell, Ariz. seemed nothing out of the ordinary to the team of dogged firefighters dispatched in their white fire buggies that fateful day from nearby Prescott. McDonough said he asked himself. View all posts by Bill Gabbert. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Video: A Life Vest and an Airboat for a Wildland Fire? It showed me that I wanted to help people, but I needed to get help myself. He says hes been doing intensive therapy and taking care of himself and trying to be a good father. Wishing all those affected by Yarnell the very best. [5], McDonough made his professional debut on June 26, 2019, starting in a 22 draw with FC Dallas. Do you know why the crew left the safety of a previously burned black area and decided to walk through unburned brush toward the ranch? t much recorded radio traffic between them, McDonough explains, because they were working together. production accountant Taylor Nikonovich . I, m not going to be riding around in a Maserati. Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. And mentally, I cant go back to fighting fires. Days later, he had a tattoo artist ink the stanzas of an old Gaelic prayer inside his right bicep as a constant reminder of his hope that the fallen "Nineteen," as they're now known in Prescott, have found peace. BRIAN ROSS, JAMES GORDON MEEK and CINDY GALLI. McDonough has a history of. I was a dad before I got hired. Thanks. For the first eight months after the tragedy he spent much of his time at funerals, memorials, investigations, fundraisers, and interviews. Brendan and his wife, Alyssa, founded and ran a nonprofit that raised $200K for rural villages in Tanzania to renovate a primary school, establish a community learning center, and construct a . The US has an overclassification problem, which includes classifying documents about Santa Claus. The interview with Brendan McDonough is being opened again for comments after the strategic pause and a cleaning up of the thread. There have been a lot of fingers pointed, I just wanted to make sure that I was standing up for my brothers. That was the biggest thing. Sun-bleached T-shirts from fire units across the nation, helmets, wilting flowers, rain-rippled handwritten notes, photos, and 19 sets of everything from shovels to crosses, bandanas and flags drape the fencing for two blocks. Justin Bristol. A lot of people think I should donate all the money back from the book; I dont have the funds to do that. Hang in there Brendon. Why would you talk on the radio when youre two feet away from somebody? By: Associated Press. According to the warrant, the couple has been separated and the children are living with their mother. All 19 hotshot families will receive worker's compensation and a one-time federal payment of $328,000, CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports. He likes Prescott, he says, but acknowledges that its tough for him to live there. Last summer was his third season with the crew, having been hired in April at $12.48 an hour. McDonough says now that he and Willis talked about whether Marsh made it to the ranch or not, but I still have not gained any clarity out of that. The day before, he had been sent home sick by Jesse Steed, Captain and second in command of the crew. Carlos Medina was named by neighbors as the bishop murder suspect. Host Jim Burneka speaks with Brendan McDonough, the lone survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. "This is where, you know, the best memories of my life will be.". A rescue pilot described it as a "panic call" and it prompted Air Attack, the state command overseeing the fire, to bark, "Whoever is yelling on the radio, get off the air.". In talking with physically and mentally scarred firefighters and their families, he says, he realized that he needed to take care of himself and get some professional help. The third result is Brendan McDonough age 40s in Winter Springs, FL in the Tuscawilla neighborhood. Smartphone cameras tend to be more advanced than their clunky, point-and-shoot predecessors. Former Granite Mountain Hotshot Brendan McDonough has been working with author Stephan Talty. We hope that any additional comments, as we said before, will be in a more productive, meaningful, and positive atmosphere. But the light of hope that inspired him to keep living in one of his darkest momentshis family who needed himinspired the firefighter to fight on against depression, addiction and to inspire others to find their best selves, even if that means often looking beyond the self. McDonough was not a first-round pick when he was hired on with the crew. Family life. Videos Tagged. I felt like a failure because I couldn, t support my daughter, because no one wanted to hire a felon. He said his evacuation from the area was a close call but not chaotic. For the many years, he has thrived in Hollywood, the celebrity has not fallen prey to controversial stories in the hands of the . 27.5k Followers, 365 Following, 1,004 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Brendan McDonough (@donut_928) donut_928. He says the families of those killed in the fire are supportive and treat him like family, but he says he knows it sometimes hurts them to be around him. Please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment. The surviving member of an elite Arizona firefighting crew that was overrun by flames says he went numb after learning the 19 men he considered his brothers were dead, and he wonders why he alone was spared what he calls a "horrible, freak accident.". You think you can tell by the expression on their face or the particular words they use. / CBS/AP, PRESCOTT, Ariz. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a team of elite firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. He was a volunteer fireman in East Greenwich. McDonough agreed. Skilled in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling . When fire managers couldn't contact the crew, a state police paramedic was dropped off by a helicopter and hiked to the crew's deployment site. What led to the deaths of the experienced team of firefighters remains under official investigation by Arizona, whose deputy state forester Jerry Payne caused an uproar last week by publicly blaming the crew's slain leader Eric Marsh for violating firefighting rules. Brendan McDonough, 40, according to the warrant for his arrest, was charged after assaulting his wife and one of their children, blitzing his wife over several days with threatening and intimidating text messages and threatening to kill his wife and himself. Born September 6, 1947 in Providence he was the son of the late Thomas and Phyllis (Kubilius) McDonough. re two feet away from somebody? "The city has fully complied with all of the laws and employment policies that direct survivor benefits," the statement said. or viewing does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. In an interview published Wednesday by The Daily Courier, McDonough said he heard Marsh's radio call and was devastated to learn the crew was about to get into the lightweight cocoons that are intended as a firefighter's last resort. On August 7, 2019, McDonough was loaned to USL Championship side Charlotte Independence for the remainder of the season. He was the beloved husband of Donna (Fratus) McDonough. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. I wanted to make sure I wasn. The mother told police she put McDonough off, but he eventually showed up at her house on Oct. 11. [4] He was officially added to the club's roster on March 6, 2019, signing an MLS contract for 2019 with options through to 2022. Walking out, he met up with a member of the Blue Ridge Hotshots, who gave him a ride out. A male using the callsign Granite Mountain 7 came up on the radio, who was almost unintelligible and "sounded excited and out of breath," according to statements by state rescue workers. Actor Neal McDonough and his wife Ruve arrive at "The Losers" Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 20, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Show more Show. Yeah, way off in the distance I could see it coming in. Did he have any interaction with the crew that day? McDonough survived simply because he'd been chosen that day for an important job -- he was the crew's lookout a half mile away watching "fire behavior" and monitoring weather changes -- and he was able to escape the cascade of flames shooting as high as 50 feet. McDonough, in a different location, escaped uninjured after getting a ride out of the area in a, He now lives in Prescott, Arizona with his girlfriend, his four-year-old daughter, and the girlfriend, s three-year-old daughter. McDonough and his wife, Lynette have three children, daughter, Caroline, and sons, Patrick and Brendan. Division Controller at Ionics, Inc.. The couples youngest son then stepped between them and began swinging a toy at his father and telling him to leave. t understand how much face-to-face conversation Steed and Marsh engaged in that afternoon. At four years old she knows that there are kids out there that don, Portraits of firefighters taken at their place of work, Long bushfire season wears down firefighters in Queensland and Western Australia, Community near Heppner, Oregon first in Morrow County to earn Firewise designation, County Cork fire brigades work through the night on gorse fires, Renewed call for the Holy Grail of firefighter tracking, Hiker owes $300,000 for Arizona wildfire he started. Prosecutor Danielle OConnell told Hartford Superior Court Judge Claudia Baio that she was concerned about the alleged assaults and threats McDonough made in front of his three children. "Why wasn't I there with them?" Every sticker, every shirt, every corner is a memory, But Prescott is such a loving town that I couldn. His relationship with Jesus andChristian-based treatmenthas helped him heal and help others do the same. According to our Database, He has no children. Brendan R. Mcdonald's office is located at 1424 Broadway, Everett, WA. I definitely feel like I have a lot to pay forward, ve always wanted to be in a job of service to others. "Coming home, that was the worst feeling ever. It has been two years since Brendan McDonough lost his 19-member firefighter family. "That's not going to help anyone," including his 2-year-old daughter. But that latter point proves a wake-up call for Brendan. Brendan was fortunate enough to work with an incredible group of people interested in making An R R a world-class festival in Montana. It was during that hike that the crew became entrapped and were killed. If youre anything like me, you might think you know what your boss is thinking when he or she talks to you. You dont even have money for gas. She was born July 25, 1953, in Plattsburgh to her parents Royce Bradford and Argenta LeClair Reed.. The groups vision is to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day by connecting Americans to the sacrifices of our military, law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel. During the 27-day event volunteers walked segments of the route. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new articles by email. Have a wildland fire news tip? Our fire personnel @ Sacramento NWR (CA) completed a #rxfire via airboat and terra torch - allowing them to reach areas of the wetland that are normally inaccessible. Thank you Bill for the article and for providing this man an oppurtunity to speak. Yep! He encourages all of you to make these festivals a part of your calendar during the summer and enjoy all Montana has to offer. 385 talking about this. The winds that had been driving the fire away from the Hotshots began to turn 180 degrees, propelled by what some fire officials call a "perfect storm" of gusts up to 50 miles per hour. He left his post for safety after notifying the men of rapidly changing weather. Once inside, McDonough accused his wife of not letting him see the kids and of trying to break up the family. After attending Our Lady of Mercy and East Greenwich High School, he proudly served in the United States Air Force. They have also lived in Saint Cloud, FL and Ringgold, GA. Brendan is related to Richard J McDonough and Kathleen Ellen McDonough as well as 1 additional person. They taught me all they knew, and they also taught me how to be a man, a well-rounded man. At another point, McDonough says in front of his children, just get me a gun, I want to kill myself., He also calls his wife vulgar names and says, If you remember our conversation, I will slit your throat if you say no to me.. and last updated 2014-06-25 15:09:55-04. Take care of yourself and your family. Brendan "Donut" McDonough recounts last acts of 19 fallen granite mountain men. It took me a while to realize that the depression was not going away and was getting worse. Neal McDonough and his wife Ruve McDonough attend the 16th annual Golden Trailer Awards at Saban Theatre on May 6, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Intern Production Assistant Rylan Mitchell . And I came to a point where I just didn't have any more tears.". "I said to them, 'My husband was a full-time employee, he went to work full-time for you,'" Ashcraft's wife Juliann Ashcraft told Evans, "and their response to me was, 'Perhaps there was a communication issue in your marriage.'". And I guess the State didnt think it was important enough to hear my opinion again. Im really rooted here; I love it here., HIRED ON WITH THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOT CREW, McDonough was not a first-round pick when he was hired on with the crew. s flipping burgers. Brendan McDonoughs income source is mostly from being a successful . Brendan McDonough. "No, I never question the decisions they've made," he said, seated in the ready room beneath crossed axes affixed to one wall. McDonough is a young center back who will look to develop as a professional in 2019. At 4:47, it was reported over the radio that McDonough's crewmates had been forced to deploy their individual fire shelters -- a last ditch step. It was a dark period in my life., McDonough says hes thankful for the others on the crew who taught him about being both a dad and a hotshot. When the fire shifted and moved toward McDonough, the rate of spread increased dramatically. He is Chairman of PEAL Capital Group Limited. There isn. https://brendanjmcdonough.com/book/ Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She knows. Dangerous Conditions Complicate Wildfire Fight in Western U.S. The Butte Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick is the longest-running St. Patrick's Day tradition in Butte.